3:10 How are we to understand what Paul says here?
3:10 How are we to understand what Paul says here?
A heretic (KJV) is one who has departed from sound doctrine and argues from his own self-willed opinions. He is schismatic, factious, causing division in the church, and is to be avoided, shunned, rejected.
This is not to say that he has to be disfellowshipped - one can hold different views and remain in the same body of believers (cp 1Cor 11:17-19; 1 Ti 4:7; 2 Ti 2:23-26).
But if he continually argues his own point of view contrary to the true teaching of scripture, then he is in sin, and cuts himself off from the spiritual protection of the church and its privileges and blessings of Christian fellowship (cp Tit 3:11).
The word subverted here means in effect that the heretic has turned out of the way in which he could have been saved (cp Ga 5:19-21).
We see in V20 here that because of their ungodly behaviour heretics bring judgement upon themselves.
These Studies by Br Val Boyle may be downloaded and freely distributed but not sold for profit.