What does Titus 1:11 mean?

Paul argues that the false teachers, referred to in verse 10, need to be "silenced." This is not a call for violence, which would conflict with the qualifications for leaders given earlier (Titus 1:5–9). Instead, the emphasis is on stopping the spread of this false teaching within the house churches on Crete. Prior verses explained that Titus was to "rebuke" falsehood as a way of correcting it.

Paul also provides a compelling reason to oppose these pretenders: they are dividing families and taking advantage of people. These men were deceiving for financial gain, by spreading false teaching. These three problems were already addressed as character flaws which would disqualify someone becoming an elder (Titus 1:5–9). Paul refused to let such men serve in church leadership.

Verse 12 will explain that these false teachers were not foreigners. They were residents of Crete. These people of the "circumcision party" (Titus 1:10) were probably Jews who had converted to Christianity, or even pretended to convert. Then, they told Gentiles that it was necessary to follow Jewish Law in order to obey Christ. Paul clearly reminds Titus this is not the true "good news" of Jesus. Instead, the gospel was for Jews and Gentiles. Jesus came to complete the Law, not to make Gentile converts slaves to it.