9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. (Titus 3:9-11)
Avoid Dissension
Here is the last part of the epistle: what Titus should avoid in teaching, how he should deal with a heretic, and other directions.
To make the apostle’s meaning clear and fitting for the situation in Crete, where many Judaizers were present, he tells Titus what to avoid in teaching (Titus 3:9). There are useful questions to discuss that help increase knowledge, but idle and foolish inquiries that do not glorify God or edify believers must be avoided. Some may seem wise but are vain, as many of the Jewish teachers and later philosophers were, who busied themselves with questions of no value to faith or practice. Avoid these.
The same applies to genealogies, which the Jews were overly concerned about. While some research into ancestry could help confirm the fulfillment of Scripture—especially in the lineage of Christ—much of it only served pride and vanity. Even after Christ came, and the distinction of tribes and families was removed, many still dwelt on these matters. Titus must reject such foolish and useless discussions.
He must also avoid contentions and arguments about the law. Some wanted to retain Mosaic rites and ceremonies even though Christ had fulfilled and abolished them. Titus must not support such disputes, for they are unprofitable and vain. These foolish questions, genealogies, and strivings about the law hinder true godliness and disturb the peace of the church, weakening faith and obstructing the progress of the gospel. Ministers must not only teach what is useful and sound, but also avoid and oppose anything that corrupts the faith or leads believers away from godliness. God’s people should not have itching ears but should love and accept sound doctrine that edifies (2 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 1:4).
Because there will always be heresies and heretics in the church, the apostle directs Titus on how to deal with them (Titus 3:10). Anyone who forsakes the truth in Christ, teaches false doctrines, and disrupts the peace of the church, after being warned and given the chance to repent, must be rejected. “Warn them once and twice, that they may repent and be won back; but if they remain unyielding, remove them so others are not harmed.”
Such a person is subverted—turned away from the foundation of faith—and sins grievously, being self-condemned. Those who will not be corrected but remain obstinate bring condemnation on themselves. They remove themselves from the fellowship of the church and from its communion, becoming self-condemned (Romans 16:17–18).
True heresy is a great evil and should not be charged lightly, but must be carefully guarded against. Such persons are like buildings ruined beyond repair. Real heretics are rarely restored because the issue often lies not in misunderstanding but in the will—through pride, ambition, stubbornness, or greed. “Be humble, love the truth, and practice it, and you will avoid destructive heresy.”
Patience and care must be exercised toward those who fall into error. They should not be quickly rejected, but time and effort should be given to win them back. The church must admonish and instruct them with persuasion and reason. Yet, if they persist in error, the church must protect its purity by removing them. This discipline may lead to repentance or leave them without excuse in their condemnation (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14).