Titus 3:10

Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to Titus, his delegate in Crete, giving a concrete rule for handling a persistent divisive person in the local assembly. The moment is pastoral administration: what to do when correction has already failed twice.

The words — αἱρετικόν (hairetikon) is the operative noun: from the root "to choose," it designates one who takes sides and forms a faction, not merely a doctrinal errorist. The word marks the person by their divisive action, not their belief.

The thread — Romans 16:17 warns against those who create divisions contrary to teaching; 2 John 1:10 commands refusal of hospitality to such a person; Matthew 18:15 supplies the first step (private confrontation) that Titus 3:10 presupposes has already occurred twice.

Why it lands — It sets a hard outer limit on tolerance: after two warnings, the church is released from further engagement and expected to act. The reader is asked to recognize that protecting the community sometimes requires exclusion, not endless patience.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

αἱρετικὸνhairetikonA factious ἄνθρωπονanthrōponman μετὰmetaafter μίανmianone καὶkaiand δευτέρανdeuterana second νουθεσίανnouthesianadmonition παραιτοῦparaitoudo reject

King James Version

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

Cross-references

Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.
2 John 1:10 If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.
Matthew 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.
2 Thessalonians 3:14 Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.
Galatians 5:20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,
1 Corinthians 11:19 And indeed, there must be differences among you to show which of you are approved.
Galatians 5:12 As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!
2 Corinthians 13:2 I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,