If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.
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;
- BSB Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
- NKJV Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,
- NASB Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning,
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 beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.
- 2 Jn 1:10If anyone comes to you, and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him,
- Matt 18:15–17“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.
- 2 Th 3:6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.
- 2 Th 3:14If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.
- 2 Tim 3:5holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.
- Gal 5:20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
- 1 Cor 11:19For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you.
- Gal 5:12I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off.
- 2 Cor 13:2I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;
- 1 Cor 5:4–13In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
- 2 Pet 2:1But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.
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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
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