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Chapell: A divisive person loves to fight.

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Titus 3 v 9 
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.



In the life of the church there are signs in a person's behavior that give them away as a person who is quarrelsome.Bryan Chapell, in his commentary on Titus, describes the divisive person with incredible detail.  


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We struggle with these commands to “avoid … arguments” because we know there are things worth disputing, and because it seems divisive to separate from divisive people. Two perspectives may help. First, Paul is speaking about ministry priorities. His words require us to examine whether controversy and argument about secondary issues become primary concerns in our ministries. If so, then our priorities require realignment. Second, there is a difference between needing to divide and loving to divide. A divisive person loves to fight. The differences are usually observable. A person who loves the peace and purity of the church may be forced into division, but it is not his character. He enters arguments regrettably and infrequently. When forced to argue, he remains fair, truthful, and loving in his responses. He grieves to have to disagree with a brother. Those who are divisive by nature lust for the fray, incite its onset, and delight in being able to conquer another person. For them victory means everything. So in an argument they twist words, call names, threaten, manipulate procedures, and attempt to extend the debate as long as possible and along as many fronts as possible.
Divisive persons frequent the debates of the church. As a result the same voices and personalities tend to appear over and over again, even though the issues change. Paul’s words caution us about the seriousness of being “divisive.” Though ego or entertainment may be served by argument, such engagement damages the church and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. These are not easy words for those of us who enjoy ecclesiastical debates or rationalize them on the basis of the need for the voicing of views or the advocacy of a cause. I confess there is a part of me that loves to debate. Competitive debate was my training before seminary, and in seminary I loved the give and take of a good theological wrangle. Still, I discovered quite soon when I became responsible for the spiritual well-being of others that what was fun for me was not healthy for the church, nor was it a good way for me to mature in character or understanding.

 At times we must fight (1:9). But if we love the fight, we must question if we are following God’s priorities. Do we really want to devote our lives to quarreling, criticism, and argument? The man of God must not strive (2 Timothy 2:24, 25). He is by nature peaceable and gentle (Titus 1:7; 2:1; 3:2). He stands where he must, but he takes no delight in debates among brethren and does not make them the priorities of his ministry. Nothing other than grace must be the priority of the gospel-centered church.


Hughes, R. K., & Chapell, B. (2000). 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: to guard the deposit (pp. 364–365). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

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