In this passage, Paul switches from those who should be guiding the church (‘elders’) to those who should be rebuked for guiding the church incorrectly (essentially, ‘Pharisees’).
“For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths… To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” (v10-11,13-16 abr)
In this scathing description, Paul points out there are some in the church who are holding fast to Jewish myth and status, insisting that others must be like them. Though they claim to follow God, their works deny Him and betray their defiled hearts. These people are essentially like the Pharisees who Jesus rebuked for washing their exteriors while having a filthy heart.
The key for me is this: Paul instructs Titus to rebuke and correct these people, not cast them out of the church entirely. This mirrors God’s and Jesus’ teachings of redemption and correction. ” ‘If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault… If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you… If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.’ ” (Mt 18:15-17) Jesus was very clear that banishing someone from the church is a last resort, only to be done when all attempts at correction fail.
There are many passages on Christ-honoring correction, and it’s clear we are to rebuke out love, since God corrects us out of love. Paul also wrote: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” (Gal 6:1a) Rebuking someone properly involves the fruit of the Spirit which includes love, gentleness, kindness, and goodness. I believe Jesus modeled this type of correction, and so can we.
Father God, our Loving and Forgiving Lord, we praise Your holy name. Father You flawlessly modeled loving correction through Your Son Jesus. We thank You for His example, and many other examples in the scriptures. May we learn to correct others in alignment with Your Spirit, and may we also receive correction from others with a spirit of graciousness and openness. We long to model Jesus’ ways, for Your glory and honor, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training