Titus 3:9

but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

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Other translations

WEBBE

but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

BSB

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.

ASV

but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Original Greek

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μωρὰς mōras Foolish G3474 δὲ de however G1161 ζητήσεις zētēseis controversies G2214 καὶ kai and G2532 γενεαλογίας genealogias genealogies G1076 καὶ kai and G2532 ἔρεις ereis arguments G2054 καὶ kai and G2532 μάχας machas quarrels G3163 νομικὰς nomikas about [the] Law G3544 περιΐστασο periistaso do yourself avoid G4026 εἰσὶν eisin they are G1510 γὰρ gar for G1063 ἀνωφελεῖς anōpheleis unprofitable G512 καὶ kai and G2532 μάταιοι mataioi worthless G3152

The early church

"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law, for they are unprofitable and vain." What do these "genealogies" mean? For in his Epistle to Timothy he mentions "fables and endless genealogies." (1 Tim. i. 4.) Perhaps both here and there glancing at the Jews, who, priding themselves on having Abraham for their forefather, neglected their own part. On this account he calls them both "foolish and unprofitable"; for it is the part of folly to confide in things unprofitable. "Contentions," he means, with heretics, in which he would not have us labor to no purpose, where nothing is to be gained, for they end in nothing. For when a man is perverted and predetermined not to change his mind, whatever may happen, why shouldest thou labor in vain, sowing upon a rock, when thou shouldest spend thy honorable toil upon thy own people, in discoursing with them upon almsgiving and every other virtue?
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Titus

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 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 most to edifying. Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.

Read Matthew Henry on Titus 3 →

Cross-references

9

Topics

Minister, ChristianStrifeVanityPreachingGenealogy

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.