In order to protect the church and extend its influence, Titus and his fellow elders must exercise their ministry of rebuke. The false teachers “must be silenced” (Titus 1:11). The word for “silenced” means “to muzzle,” as is done to an animal to prevent it from biting. It also had the connotation of silencing a false argument by effective reasoning. Paul therefore wanted Titus to teach directly against the prevailing heresies, pointing out their errors and exposing their dangers. This requirement highlights again the need for the biblical and theological training of elders. Calvin writes that “they must be armed not with a material sword but with the Word of God, with wisdom and virtue, that they may be enabled to resist the ungodly.”

為了保護教會並擴大其影響力，提多和他的長老同僚必須履行他們的責備職責。假教師“必須得閉嘴（合和本譯作“這些人的口總要堵住”）”（多1:11）。 “得閉嘴”這個詞的意思是“套住嘴”，就像對動物所做的那樣，以防止它咬人。它還具有通過有效推理壓制錯誤論點的含義。因此，保羅希望提多直接教導反對盛行的異端，指出他們的錯誤並揭露他們的危險。這一要求再次強調了對長老進行聖經和神學培訓的必要性。加爾文寫道，“他們必須用上帝的話語、智慧和美德來武裝，而不是用物質的劍，這樣他們才能抵抗不敬虔的人。”