Paul continues: “Therefore rebuke them sharply” (Titus 1:13). A surgeon needs a sharp scalpel to remove a tumor that is killing the body, and the confrontation of false teachers likewise calls for a sharp word. In many cases, heretics must be publicly excluded from the church. As faithful shepherds, elders must not provide a lectern for false teachers but must be willing to remove those shown to be wolves. Yet even in such severe cases, they are to remain motivated for the salvation of those who are disciplined: “rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith” (v. 13). It is possible that Paul means that Titus should rebuke the Cretan Christians generally, promoting their soundness. Yet church discipline always aims not only at the protection of the flock but also at the restoration of the rebellious ones.

保罗继续说：“所以你要严严地责备他们”（多1:13）。外科医生需要一把锋利的手术刀来切除正在杀死身体的肿瘤，而面对假教师同样需要尖锐的言语。在许多情况下，异端分子必须被公开排除在教会之外。作为忠心的牧人，长老们不可为假教师提供讲台，而必须愿意除掉那些被视为狼群的人。然而，即使在如此严重的情况下，他们仍要继续努力拯救那些受管教的人：“所以你要严严地责备他们，使他们在真道上纯全无疵。”（13节）。保罗的意思可能是提多应该普遍责备革哩底岛的基督徒，促进他们的健全。然而，教会纪律的目的不仅是为了保护羊群，也是为了复兴叛逆的人。