Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
Parallel translations
- WEB Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning,
- KJV A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
- NKJV Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,
- NASB Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning,
- NLT If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A divisive person should be warned once and twice, then avoided. It matters because those who persist in stirring division forfeit fellowship for the sake of the church's unity.
Overview
Paul gives a measured process for handling a 'factious' person: two warnings, then separation. This guards the church against ongoing division while still offering opportunity for repentance. Such discipline is an act of love toward both the offender and the congregation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Rom 16:17Now 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 Jn 1:10If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.
- Matt 18:15–17If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
- 2 Th 3:6Now 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 Th 3:14Take 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.
- 2 Tim 3:5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!
- Gal 5:20idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,
- 1 Cor 11:19And indeed, there must be differences among you to show which of you are approved.
- Gal 5:12As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!
- 2 Cor 13:2I 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,
- 1 Cor 5:4–13When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of the Lord Jesus,
- 2 Pet 2:1Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
We await 'the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us' and purify a people of his own.
How Titus 3:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.