Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.
Summary: Paul’s reasoning behind his instructions regarding divisive people is grounded in both the protection of God’s church, and the wellbeing of all believers.
Perhaps it was Paul’s thought about “foolish controversies” that prompted him to write about divisive people. Yet, it is not the first time Paul has broached the subject. A large portion of Paul’s writings has to do with division in the church.
In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul bemoans the divisions between people there. Then he poses a cutting rhetorical question: “Is Christ divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:13)
In answer to this, John records Jesus’ prayer for “those who will believe” (John 17: 20-21). That means you and me. He prays, “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us…” Christ is not divided. He is One. Why, then, is our oneness so important to Jesus?
Outside of being united as the family of God, he adds, “so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Unity and oneness are key. Divisiveness is the opposite of what Jesus wants for his believers. Of course, this is the same Jesus who said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” (Luke 12: 51)
The division Jesus was talking about is different than the divisiveness Paul is talking about. In Matthew 13:24-30, Jesus tells the parable about the wheat and the tares (KJV). Both look the same on the outside, but on close examination, they are not the same. The weeds (tares) are bundled up to be burned, and the wheat is gathered into God’s barn (Matthew 13:30). This difference between people is something that only God can know. The thing that Paul is talking about is something that we can know.
Perhaps you think that Paul’s advice about divisiveness is cruel? Warning a divisive person and then having nothing to do with them sounds a bit brutal. But think about the alternative for a moment. If divisiveness is allowed to run unchecked, it does not help the Body of Christ or make the Lord’s work easier. As James points out:
“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5-6)
There is a danger here that is worth avoiding.
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he writes:
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked person from among you.’” (1 Corinthians 5: 12-13)
Later, presumably, after the person he was referring to had repented, Paul writes:
“I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.” (2 Corinthians 2:8)
The intent is not to act out of pettiness or vindictiveness but to remain faithful to our Lord’s calling. Referring to us, those who believe, Jesus said:
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” (John 17:16)
So we are confronted with this conundrum: Only God can judge the heart. It is his place to decide who is saved and not ours. Yet, Paul tells us that we are to judge those inside the church. On what basis? Paul’s letter to Titus gives us a good starting point. If someone’s words or actions are divisive, we do not have to know their heart to see the effect of what they are doing.
Paul’s instructions about divisive people are not meant to hurt them but to help them. At the same time, it helps others by protecting the unity in the Body of Christ. The benefit of unity in the body, as Jesus points out, is so the world will believe that he was, in fact, sent by God.
Application: Be on guard against divisiveness. If we are in authority over others, remain watchful. If not, watch our own tongue.
Food for Thought: How would churches be different today if Paul’s words on divisiveness were routinely applied?
Good devotion brother.
An assumption in the question is that they are not routinely applied. I don’t think they are perfectly applied anywhere. But as someone who has at least one painful conversation every week, I know that there are efforts to apply them. They can also be complicated. The church is not just leadership. People have a lot of power to do whatever they feel is best for themselves in the church today. They can just go to another church or ignore the best for the church body to pursue what they see as best for them. That is because there is little unity between church bodies. There is a tendency to feel that my church is better than yours. There is competition and stroking of egos between churches more than there is cooperation – at least in many cases. It is easy to blame the church and look down on the church as opposed to taking personal responsibility.
The church is people. This, I believe, is an important conversation. But too often it is easier to point blame on others than do the hard work of reconciliation and forgiveness. So this important conversation is often avoided. Which tends to make the divisiveness worse.
These are simply my thoughts from an admittedly narrow perspective. Take them with a grain of salt. But to answer your question, as we heed the Holy Spirits through Paul, churches would be healthier as we all apply the standard seen in Scripture.
Brother Rich,
Welcome back! You were missed!
This is and has been a tough topic to write on. My perspective spans over six decades of churches. As a kid we moved around a lot and were part of a lot of churches. As an young adult I moved around more and experienced more of the same. After my wilderness period, I came back into the church only to find more challenges.
If we look at the question globally, and look at the divisions in the Body of Christ, one might reasonably expect that little divisions would not have the opportunity to grow into big ones. Perhaps, if this principle had been applied more rigorously over the centuries, there would still be only one church.
Amen. Good point. It is always such an emotional topic for people. I think we can see signs of the spiritual struggle in this topic.
How would churches be different today if Paul’s words on divisiveness were routinely applied?
True believers are a decreasing minority in this world, and as long as there is individual freewill given to imperfect beings, we will have divisiveness.
Ezekiel 18:20, Matthew 7:21-28, 12:30, John 14:21-24; 15:5-6
Jesus tells us the parable of the sower of the seed and the four kinds of soil. As we read this we see the majority of the seed being sown does not bear fruit, in fact where the seed does bear fruit it is among the weeds until separated by God and cast into the fire.
Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:1-15
God used Paul to teach us that all who CLAIM to be chosen are not truly chosen, in fact throughout history the majority claiming to be chosen have actually been a disobedient and gainsaying people (people who refuse to accept the truth). He assures us that true believers are only a remnant according to the election of God’s grace upon us.
Romans 9:6-7, Romans 10:21, Romans 11:2-5
So … Ron…
Are you saying that there would not be much difference?
That makes sense, of course, people being who they are. As always, very interesting! 🙂
Historically there was a time when being division brought great freedom from mans false, burdensome practices which were counter to the word of God.
Most division today comes from those who seek to take away from Gods word, water our bible down because they wish to live in violation of His Holiness. As Rich says, we should definitely seek the power of the Holy Spirit as we seek to restore, but as I looked around, visited many churches to see for myself what is going on. I was actually shocked. What I saw was attendance in what were mainline churches is now a desperate, dwindling gray haired congrigation wondering how they are going to meet budget. Very similar to BSF which has gone from a long waiting list for the men’s groups to online groups of 8 or 9 men.
Don’t mean to sound negative, just saying the power of this world is definitely taking it’s toll. Now more than ever we need to stay with the word of God and we will still reach those responding to Gods calling.
You have touched on something as deep and as old as time itself. Satan is at war with God and continues his efforts to corrupt God’s people and His church. What you describe is the result.
Jesus says, “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”
(John 10:29)
The Good News is that for those who are His, we cannot be snatched away.
The posts this week have made me think a lot of the church my grandfather pastored when I was 11. There were a lot of people that regularly attended that church, and I can remember attending revival services where they had to put folding chairs in the aisle and back of the church to accommodate all the people. That church was a big part of the community; a local church filled with local folks. Then came a big division that ultimately led to half the congregation leaving. How would churches be different today if Paul’s words on divisiveness were routinely applied? I think some people would be more concerned about the presence the church has in the lives of those believers and non-believers around it. I say some because I do genuinely think that there are folks that already try and apply this lesson to their lives, but I also think that there are some that do not. People should focus more on how they can help each other and those around the church.
Romans 12:3-12 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
1 Corinthians 12:25-27 That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Chris,
Thank you for sharing the memory of your grandfather. There is an element in “revival” that makes me think of John the Baptist. Calling people to repentance. That is a call that we all need to hear every day!
👍🏻