Titus 3:10 - Exposition

Heretical for an heretick, A.V.; a for the, A.V.; refuse for reject, A.V. Heretical ( αἱρετικόν ); only here in the New Testament, not found in the LXX ., but used in classical Greek for " intelligent, " i.e. able to choose. The use of it here by St. Paul is drawn from the use of αἵρεσις for "a sect" ( Acts 5:17 ; Acts 15:5 ; Acts 24:5 , Acts 24:14 ; Acts 26:5 ; Acts 28:22 ; 1 Corinthians 11:19 ; Galatians 5:20 ; 2 Peter 2:1 ), or the doctrines taught by a sect. The heretic is one who forsakes the truth held by the Church, and chooses some doctrine of his own devising ( αἵρεσις ). The tendency of such departures from the doctrine of the Church to assume more and more of a deadly character, and to depart wider and wider from the truth, gave to the name of heretic a darker shade of condemnation in the mouth of Church writers as time advanced. But even in apostolic times some denied the resurrection ( 2 Timothy 2:11 , 2 Timothy 2:12 ); others denied the Lord that bought them ( 2 Peter 2:1 ); and there were some who were of the synagogue of Satan ( Revelation 2:9 ); so that already an heretical man, drawing away disciples after him, was a great blot in the Church. Admonition ( νουθεσία ); as 1 Corinthians 10:11 ; Ephesians 6:4 . After a first and second admonition refuse ( παραιτοῦ ); see 1 Timothy 4:7 ; 1 Timothy 5:11 . It does not clearly appear what is intended by this term In 1 Timothy 5:11 it meant refusing admission into the college of Church widows. If these had been persons seeking admission into the Church, or ordination, it would mean "refuse them." Vitringa (Huther) thinks it means "excommunication." Beza, Ellicott, Huther, Alford, etc., render it "shun," "let alone," "cease to admonish," and the like.