Titus 3 · Verse 9

Titus 3:9

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Titus 3:9, King James Version

Titus 3:9 in other translations

BSBBut avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
WEBbut shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
ASVbut shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
YLTand foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about law, stand away from--for they are unprofitable and vain.
DARBYBut foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes, and contentions about the law, shun; for they are unprofitable and vain.
BBEBut have nothing to do with foolish questionings, and lists of generations, and fights and arguments about the law; for they are of no profit and foolish.
WebsterBut avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

What does Titus 3:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. avoid--stand aloof from. Same Greek, as in 2Ti 2:16; see on 2Ti 2:16. foolish--Greek, "insipid"; producing no moral fruit. "Vain talkers." genealogies--akin to the "fables" (see on 1Ti 1:4). Not so much direct heresy as yet is here referred to, as profitless discussions about genealogies of aeons, &c., which ultimately led to Gnosticism. Synagogue discourses were termed daraschoth, that is, "discussions." Compare "disputer of this world (Greek, 'dispensation')." strivings about the law--about the authority of the "commandments of men," which they sought to confirm by the law (Tit 1:14; see on 1Ti 1:7), and about the mystical meaning of the various parts of the law in connection with the "genealogies."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 9. But avoid foolish questions and genealogies. 1Timm 1:4; 2Ti 2:16, 2Ti 2:23.

And contentions, and strivings about the law. Such as the Jews started about various matters connected with the law--about meats and drinks, etc. 1Timm 1:4. Comp. Acts 18:15.

For they are unprofitable and vain. They disturb and embitter the feelings; they lead to the indulgence of a bad spirit; they are often difficult to be settled, and are of no practical importance if they could be determined. The same thing might be said of multitudes of things about which men dispute so earnestly now.

(c) "avoid foolish" 2Ti 2:23

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies - In these the Jews particularly delighted; they abounded in the most frivolous questions; and, as they had little piety themselves, they were solicitous to show that they had descended from godly ancestors. Of their frivolous questions, and the answers given to them by the wisest and most reputable of their rabbins, the following is a specimen: - Rabbi Hillel was asked: Why have the Babylonians round heads? To which he answered: This is a difficult question, but I will tell the reason: Their heads are round because they have but little wit. Q. Why are the eyes of the Tarmudians so soft? A. Because they inhabit a sandy country. Q. Why have the Africans broad feet? A. Because they inhabit a marshy country. See more in Schoettgen. But ridiculous and trifling as these are, they are little in comparison to those solemnly proposed and most gravely answered by those who are called the schoolmen. Here is a specimen, which I leave the reader to translate: - Utrum essent excrementa in Paradiso? Utrum sancti resurgent cum intestinis? Utrum, si deipara fuisset vir, potuisset esse naturalis parens Christi? These, with many thousands of others, of equal use to religion and common sense, may be found in their writings. See the Summa of Thomas Aquinas, passim. Might not the Spirit have these religious triflers in view, rather than the less ridiculous Jews? See the notes on 1Tim 1:4; 2Tim 2:23 (note). Contentions, and strivings about the law - Of legal contentions, and different and conflicting decisions about the meaning of particular rites and ceremonies, the Talmud is full.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Titus 3:8-11

When the grace of God towards mankind has been declared, the necessity of good works is pressed. Those who believe in God, must make it their care to maintain good works, to seek opportunities for doing them, being influenced by love and gratitude. Trifling, foolish questions must be avoided, and subtle distinctions and vain inquiries; nor should people be eager after novelties, but love sound doctrine which tends…

Read the full comment on Titus 3:8-11 →

Titus 3:9 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

μωρὰςmōrasFoolishG3474
δὲdehoweverG1161
ζητήσειςzētēseiscontroversiesG2214
καὶkaiandG2532
γενεαλογίαςgenealogiasgenealogiesG1076
καὶkaiandG2532
ἔρειςereisargumentsG2054
καὶkaiandG2532
μάχαςmachasquarrelsG3163
νομικὰςnomikasabout [the] LawG3544
περιΐστασο·periistasodo yourself avoid;G4026
εἰσὶνeisinthey areG1510
γὰρgarforG1063
ἀνωφελεῖςanōpheleisunprofitableG512
καὶkaiandG2532
μάταιοι.mataioiworthless.G3152

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Titus 3:9

  • 2 Timothy 2:14

    Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

  • 1 Timothy 4:7

    But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

  • 2 Timothy 2:23

    But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

  • Titus 1:14

    Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

  • 2 Timothy 2:16

    But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

  • 1 Timothy 1:3-7

    As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; …

  • Job 15:3

    Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?

  • 1 Corinthians 8:1

    Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:2

    And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
avoid.
1:14; 1Ti 1:3-7; 4:7; 2Ti 2:23
unprofitable.
Job 15:3; 1Co 8:1; 13:2; 2Ti 2:14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Titus 3:8

    This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

  • Titus 3:9

    But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

  • Titus 3:10

    A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

Read all of Titus 3

Titus 3:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas las cuestiones necias, y genealogías, y contenciones, y debates acerca de la ley, evita; porque son sin provecho y vanas.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais évite les folles questions, et les généalogies, et les contestations, et les disputes sur la loi, car elles sont inutiles et vaines.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Törichte Streitfragen aber und Geschlechtsregister und Zänkereien und Streitigkeiten über das Gesetz vermeide, denn sie sind unnütz und eitel.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Stultas autem quæstiones, et genealogias, et contentiones, et pugnas legis devita: sunt enim inutiles, et vanæ.