Charles Ellicott Commentary Titus 3:10

"A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse;" — Titus 3:10 (ASV)

A man who is a heretic.—The Greek word translated “heretic” in the New Testament occurs here only. The term “heresies” occurs twice (1 Corinthians 11:19; Galatians 5:20). In neither of these passages, however, does the word signify a fundamental or doctrinal error. This sense belongs to a usage of later times. From the meaning of the word “heresy” in these passages of St. Paul, we can deduce the meaning of the term “heretic” here.

The “heretic” of the Church in Crete appears to have been a man who was dissatisfied with the organization and discipline Titus introduced into the Christian community. Likely considering himself slighted in some way, he withdrew from the common body.

Gathering other discontented individuals around him, he established what might be termed a rival Church in Crete. Although at first, perhaps, no marked erroneous teaching was part of the practice of such schismatics, the tendency in such small rival communities was still increasingly to distinguish between their teaching and that of the larger body from which they initially cut themselves adrift.

After the first and second admonition reject.—The Greek word rendered “reject” would be more accurately translated shun, or avoid.

No doubt, there was some self-willed, factious party leader in Crete, well known to St. Paul, to whom he referred here. However, the disturber remained nameless, partly out of a loving hope that Titus would win him to his side, and partly from the knowledge that this Letter was a public instruction to many a Church besides that of Crete.

He was to be exhorted once, twice, and then if he remained stubbornly disobedient, he was to be simply left alone to his own devices. The community over which Titus presided in Paul's place was no longer to recognize the obstinate heretic as a brother.