Titus 3:10-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Titus 3:9-15

Here is the fifth and last thing in the matter of the epistle: what Titus should avoid in teaching; how he should deal with a heretic; with some other directions. Observe, I. That the apostle's meaning might be more clear and full, and especially fitted to the time and state of things in Crete, and the many judaizers among them, he tells Titus what, in teaching, he should shun, Titus 3:9. There are needful questions to be discussed and cleared, such as make for improvement in useful knowledge;... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Titus 3:8-11

3:8-11 This is a saying which we are bound to believe--and I want you to keep on affirming these things--that those who have put their faith in God must think and plan bow to practise fine deeds. These are fine things and useful to men. But have nothing to do with foolish speculations and genealogies and contentious and legalistic battles, for they are no good to anyone and serve no useful purpose. Avoid a contentious and opinionative man, after giving him a first and a second warning, for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Titus 3:10

A man that is an heretic ,.... An heretic, according to the notation of the word, is either one that makes choice of an opinion upon his own judgment, contrary to the generally received sense of the churches of Christ, and prefers it to theirs, and obstinately persists in it; separates from them, forms a party, and sets himself at the head of them, whom he has drawn into the same way of thinking with himself: or he is one that removes and takes away a fundamental doctrine of Christianity,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Titus 3:11

Knowing that he that is such is subverted ,.... Or overturned and demolished; he is like an edifice, that is not only decaying, and falling, but is entirely everted, and pulled down; so that there is no hopes of a restoration or recovery; he is in a desperate condition, having opposed the person, or office, or sacrifice of Christ; having either trodden the Son of God underfoot, or counted his blood common, or done despite unto the spirit of grace; in either of which cases there is no more... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:10

A man that is a heretic - Generally defined, one that is obstinately attached to an opinion contrary to the peace and comfort of society, and will neither submit to Scripture nor reason. Here it means a person who maintains Judaism in opposition to Christianity, or who insists on the necessity of circumcision, etc., in order to be saved. This is obviously the meaning of the word heretic in the only place in which it occurs in the sacred writings. After the first and second admonition,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:11

Is subverted - Is turned out of the way in which he may be saved, and consequently sinneth - enters into that way that leads to destruction. Being condemned of himself - This refers to the Judaizing teacher, who maintained his party and opinions for filthy lucre's sake. He was conscious of his own insincerity; and that he proclaimed not his system from a conscientious love of truth, but from a desire to get his livelihood. Were the Church in all countries, whether established by law or... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:10

Verse 10 10Avoid an heretical man This is properly added; because there will be no end of quarrels and dispute, if we wish to conquer obstinate men by argument; for they will never want words, and they will derive fresh courage from impudence, so that they will never grow weary of fighting. Thus, after having given orders to Titus as to the form of doctrine which he should lay down, he now forbids him to waste much time in debating with heretics, because battle would lead to battle and dispute... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:11

Verse 11 11Knowing that he who is such is ruined He declares that man to be “ruined,” as to whom there is no hope of repentance, because, if our labor could bring back any man to the right path, it should by no means be withheld. The metaphor is taken from a building, which is not merely decayed in some part, but completely demolished, so that it is incapable of being repaired. He next points out the sign of this ruin — an evil conscience, when he says, that they who do not yield to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:8-14

Christian character. "To maintain good works." This is a repeated counsel, and shows how much need there was of showing that the "belief" spoken of in the eighth verse should not be a mere speculative creed. This Titus is to "affirm constantly," showing that there were those then who had a tendency to antinomianism, or neglect of the Law of moral order and beauty. I. PERMANENCE . "Maintain." Men weary of their efforts after the attainment of a Divine ideal. Holiness is not a gift, it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:8-15

Pearls before swine. There is in some a habit of mind utterly out of harmony with the Word of God. It is not that dogmas, or creeds, or ceremonies are despised and forgotten by them, as they usually are by the pleasure-seeking or moneymaking world. On the contrary, these things are often in their minds and upon their lips. But they handle everything, not with a view to growth in goodness, not with a view to the formation within of a humble, pure, and holy character, but merely as matters... read more

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