notes

Main point summary

Avoid empty distractions and dissension and discipline divisive people.

Arc

editing

NT

Titus 3:9-11

esv

na28

But o avoid foolish p controversies, q genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law,

μωρὰς δὲ ζητήσεις καὶ γενεαλογίας καὶ ἔρεις καὶ μάχας νομικὰς περιΐστασο•

for r they are unprofitable and worthless.

εἰσὶν γὰρ ἀνωφελεῖς καὶ μάταιοι.

ground

As for a person who stirs up division,

αἱρετικὸν ἄνθρωπον

s after warning him once

μετὰ μίαν

and then twice,

καὶ δευτέραν νουθεσίαν

t have nothing more to do with him,

παραιτοῦ,

knowing that such a person is warped and sinful;

εἰδὼς ὅτι ἐξέστραπται ὁ τοιοῦτος καὶ ἁμαρτάνει

he is self-condemned.

ὢν αὐτοκατάκριτος.

series

progression

situationresponse

na28

discourse

Notes

Arcing notes: The relationship between 3:1–8 and 3:9–11 : In my meta-arc, I arc 3:1–8 as a positive (+) and 3:9–11 as a negative (-). The idea is this: Live a godly life (as unpacked in 3:1–2, 8), not an ungodly one (3:9). Note the connection between these verses: avoid quarreling (3:2) vs. controversies and quarrels about the law (3:9), gentle and showing perfect courtesy (3:2) vs dissensions (3:9), being ready and devoted to good works (3:1, 8) because they are excellent and profitable (3:8) vs. controversies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law that are unprofitable and worthless (3:9). 3:10a : This is technically not a separate proposition, but the idea Paul presents here (when you encounter a person who stirs up division) is a separate proposition. Without breaking this into its own proposition, there would be no way to arc a sit-R, which Paul clearly presents in verse 10. 3:10b–c : I'm arcing this as a progression rather than temporal. Certainly there is a sense of timing (after), but the idea Paul presents is one of order, not the timing of the second proposition. Paul really implies a progressive response to the situation: warn him once, then warn him again, then have nothing to do with him. 3:11 : I'm interpreting the participle "knowing" as a causal participle (because you know) (See Wallace Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics , 632 and Mounce , Pastoral Epistles , 455.) The progression from 3:9 to 3:10–11 : Paul progresses from Titus calling people to avoid ungodliness to the situation of what to do with those who live ungodly lives within the gathering of the church. The relationship between these two sections is based on the parallel ungodliness (foolish controversies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law ~ division) in each section. Paul instructs the church to not be ungodly in verse 9. In verses 10–11, he instructs the church regarding what to do with those who are ungodly in those ways.