Titus 3:8-11

⁸ This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

⁹ But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

¹⁰ Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,

¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

This is a faithful saying (v.8) — referring back to verses 4-7

affirm (v.8) = assert strongly

constantly (v.8) — not “continually,” but “uniformly, steadfastly”

be careful (v.8) = ponder thoughtfully and purposely, consider

maintain (v.8) = be forward in, give attention to, occupy themselves with

good (v.8) = kalos = honorable, fair, virtuous

The things to avoid (v.9) are also mentioned to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:4-7; 1 Timothy 6:4 and 2 Timothy 2:23. These things must have already become a widespread problem in the early church.

foolish (v.9) = dull, sluggish, stupid

vain (v.9) = aimless, without result

divisive man (v.10) = lit. “to take, to take for one’s self, to choose, prefer” — factious, opinionated, self-willed — so, one who refuses to accept sound doctrine as revealed in Scripture and taught by Paul (and Titus) and prefers to choose for himself what he is to believe

A heretical [divisive] man was, and is, one who strikes out on a line of his own choosing and causes strife, faction and division in an assembly. The meaning therefore, is that of causing divisions rather than that of holding false doctrine, though the latter is frequently involved. — Vine, page 247

warped (v.11) = twisted — a medical term for a sprained joint

self-condemned (v.11) — He cannot plead ignorance; through hardness of heart he persists in his course of sin (he goes on sinning); the existence of the party spirit arising from his influence, renders him self-condemned. — Vine, page 247