TITUS 1:11 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.”
They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole households by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach — the urgency of silencing (epitomeuein — to muzzle) such teachers reflects their destructive power to disrupt family units and parish structures. The motivation of shameful gain (aischron kerdos) reveals financial exploitation masked as religious teaching, a charge Paul brings against false teachers throughout the epistles. The teaching's content violates apostolic tradition, making it not merely erroneous but corrupting.
Church Fathers on Titus 1:11
Do you see how he shows that they are such? From their not wishing to be ruled, but to rule. For he has glanced at this. When therefore you can not persuade them, do not give them charges, but stop their mouths, for the benefit of others. But of what advantage will this be, if they will not obey, or are unruly? Why then should he stop their mouths? In order that others may be benefited by it. For if he has undertaken the office of a Teacher, and is not able to combat these…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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