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.

保羅繼續說：“所以你要嚴嚴地責備他們”（多1:13）。外科醫生需要一把鋒利的手術刀來切除正在殺死身體的腫瘤，而面對假教師同樣需要尖銳的言語。在許多情況下，異端分子必須被公開排除在教會之外。作為忠心的牧人，長老們不可為假教師提供講台，而必須願意除掉那些被視為狼群的人。然而，即使在如此嚴重的情況下，他們仍要繼續努力拯救那些受管教的人：“所以你要嚴嚴地責備他們，使他們在真道上純全無疵。”（13節）。保羅的意思可能是提多應該普遍責備革哩底島的基督徒，促進他們的健全。然而，教會紀律的目的不僅是為了保護羊群，也是為了復興叛逆的人。