`heretic' can mean simply that one has exercised the right to `search and

see', and is only dubbed a heretic by those whose conception of what is true

is that which passes for orthodoxy in the society to which they belong.  All

dissenters and non -conformists are consequently heretics, even as were the

Reformers.  It is most certain that Paul, who suffered at the hands of

bigotry himself, and who in his unconverted days knew the persecuting spirit

that actuated the heresy hunt (Acts 9:1,2), also knew with blinding

conviction that this sectarian zeal not only persecuted simple harmless

believers, but actually persecuted the Saviour Himself (Acts 9:4).  Titus

would find that however faithfully and ably he ministered the Word, there

would be some who would be `heretics', self -choosers, and concerning such he

was given instruction.  The man thus indicated was to be given a `first and

second admonition'.

Nouthesia `admonish', is from nous `the mind'.  This mind can be

defiled (Titus 1:15) and in this case `Jewish fables and commandments of men'

were the causes of defection.  In like manner, foolish questions and

genealogies and strivings about the law, produce the heretic in Titus 3:9,10.

Thus Paul has written to Timothy of those who doted `about questions and

strifes of words ... perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds' (1 Tim.

6:5).  Titus was not told to put the heretic on the rack, to burn him at the

stake, or even to excommunicate him.  Alford translates the passage `decline

intercourse with (there is no precept concerning excommunication)'.  The word

translated `reject' here is rendered `avoid' in a similar context in 2

Timothy 2:23 and so far removed is this word `reject' from any persecuting or

censorious spirit, we find in other contexts it can be rendered to `make

excuse' and `intreat' (Luke 14:18; Heb. 12:19).  Where condemnation of an

heretic is mentioned it is a condemnation which he makes on himself.

`Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being

condemned of himself' (Titus 3:11).

The word translated subvert is the Greek ekstrepho `to turn out'.  The

original sense seems to have been `to turn inside out' and then `to turn out'

as of a pathway.  This is one of a number of compounds of strepho `to turn'

which the apostle uses in similar contexts.  For example, in Titus 1:14 we

Apostrephomai `to turn oneself away' in this instance `from the truth'.

Epistrepho `to turn about' so `convert' (Acts 3:19).

Anastrepho `to turn up' hence `to behave' (1 Tim. 3:15).

Katastrophe `to turn down', `to overthrow' hence `subvert' (2 Tim.

Crabb says:

`To overturn is said of small matters; to subvert only of national or

large concerns: domestic economy may be overturned; religious and

political establishments may be subverted'.

The A.V. makes Paul use the word `subvert' where the original uses anatrepo

(Titus 1:11); ekstrepho (Titus 3:11) and katastrophe 2 Timothy 2:14.

The heretic spoken of in Titus 3:11 has been turned out of the path of

truth, not only by external pressure and inducement for which there may be

extenuating circumstances, but he is said to have `sinned' in so doing, which

always implies responsibility, and further the apostle adds `being condemned