Titus 3:9 kjv
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Titus 3:9 nkjv
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
Titus 3:9 niv
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
Titus 3:9 esv
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Titus 3:9 nlt
Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.
Titus 3 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Titus 3:9 | avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes over the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. | Titus 3:9 |
| 2 Tim 2:23 | Have nothing to do with foolish and uninformed controversies; you know that they generate quarrels. | 2 Tim 2:23 |
| Rom 14:1 | Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but do not argue about doubtful things. | Rom 14:1 |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. | 1 Cor 1:10 |
| Gal 5:19-21 | Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. | Gal 5:19-21 |
| Eph 4:14 | so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. | Eph 4:14 |
| Phil 1:9-10 | And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, | Phil 1:9-10 |
| 1 Tim 6:4 | If anyone is teaching a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, | 1 Tim 6:4 |
| 1 Tim 6:20 | O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the profane babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, | 1 Tim 6:20 |
| 2 Tim 4:3 | For there will come a time when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, | 2 Tim 4:3 |
| Heb 12:14 | Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | Heb 12:14 |
| Jam 1:16-17 | Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. | Jam 1:16-17 |
| Prov 10:19 | When words are many, transgression is lacking, but one who restrains his lips is prudent. | Prov 10:19 |
| Prov 17:28 | Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. | Prov 17:28 |
| 1 Pet 3:15 | but sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, | 1 Pet 3:15 |
| 2 Pet 2:16 | and he was rebuked for his own transgression by a speech of a dumb donkey, uttering human words and hindering the prophet's madness. | 2 Pet 2:16 |
| John 15:19 | If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. | John 15:19 |
| 1 John 4:8 | Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. | 1 John 4:8 |
| Rom 15:4 | For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. | Rom 15:4 |
| 2 Tim 3:16 | All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, | 2 Tim 3:16 |
Titus 3 verses
Titus 3 9 Meaning
The verse admonishes believers to avoid foolish arguments, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law. These matters are declared to be unprofitable and worthless. The core message is to steer clear of unproductive and divisive debates, focusing instead on life-giving truth and love within the community of faith.
Titus 3 9 Context
Titus 3:9 is situated within a broader pastoral instruction from Paul to Titus, concerning the conduct of believers within the church and their witness to the outside world. In Titus chapter 3, Paul emphasizes the transformative power of God's grace and the resulting good works that should characterize the lives of believers. He contrasts this with the foolishness and divisiveness that characterized their former lives and warns against such unproductive behavior within the Christian community. This particular verse serves as a directive to maintain peace and unity by avoiding pointless disputes and contentious arguments.
Titus 3 9 Word Analysis
- avoid (avoid): The Greek word is periousamou (or a similar form derived from peri-histēmi). This implies to stand away from, to shun, or to sidestep. It is a deliberate act of disengagement.
- foolish (foolish): The Greek is mōras (from mōros). It denotes dull, stupid, senseless, or morally foolish. It speaks of a lack of wisdom and understanding, often leading to error.
- controversies (controversies): The Greek word here is epitaceis (or erethismus depending on the textual variant). This refers to agitations, stirrings up, or disputes that cause trouble. It suggests an emotional and disruptive conflict.
- genealogies (genealogies): The Greek is genealogías. These were systematic records of ancestry, often extensive. In some contexts, emphasis on genealogies could lead to pride, exclusion, or irrelevant disputes within the early church.
- quarrels (quarrels): The Greek is dichostasías (from dicha "apart" and histēmi "to stand"). This signifies dissensions, divisions, or parties that create factions and break fellowship.
- disputes over the law (disputes over the law): The Greek is logomachías (from logos "word" and mache "fight"). It means fighting about words or arguments, often involving intricate or insignificant points of the law.
- for (for): This indicates the reason or cause for the preceding instruction.
- they are (they are): Refers to the controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes.
- unprofitable (unprofitable): The Greek is anōphelís. It means useless, without advantage, or serving no good purpose.
- and worthless (and worthless): The Greek is mataíous (from mataios). This signifies vain, empty, idle, or trifling. It highlights the futility and meaninglessness of these activities.
Words Group Analysis
- foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes over the law: This group highlights the various forms of unproductive discourse. It moves from general foolishness (mōras) to specific types of divisive speech (erethismus, dichostasias, logomachias). The mention of genealogies suggests an engagement with lineage and tradition that had become a source of argument rather than edification.
- unprofitable and worthless: These are the consequences and essential nature of the prohibited activities. Anōphelis speaks to their lack of benefit for spiritual growth or for the well-being of the community, while mataios emphasizes their emptiness and ultimate pointlessness.
Titus 3 9 Bonus Section
The concept of avoiding unprofitable debates resonates throughout Scripture. Paul's pastoral epistles, in particular, show a consistent concern for maintaining doctrinal purity and church unity by guarding against divisive teachers and trivial disputes. The emphasis on avoiding logomachia (fighting about words) is a reminder that while understanding biblical truth is vital, the manner of engagement is equally important. The original audience, possibly facing internal disputes related to the Mosaic Law or Gnostic-like speculations concerning genealogies, needed this counsel to maintain a coherent and faithful witness. The inclusion of genealogies is interesting, as they were important in Jewish society for identity and legitimacy, but in the context of Christian truth, they could become a point of contention if overemphasized, detracting from the new identity in Christ.
Titus 3 9 Commentary
Paul's directive in Titus 3:9 is a strong call to focus on the core message of the Gospel and its practical outworking in love and good deeds. The emphasis on "foolish controversies," "genealogies," "quarrels," and "disputes over the law" points to internal divisions within the church. These debates, often centered on minor points of interpretation or matters of heritage, distract from the essential unity and the mission of the church. They are "unprofitable" because they do not build up believers or advance the cause of Christ, and "worthless" because they are empty of genuine spiritual substance. The early church faced various forms of divisive teaching, including those that emphasized strict adherence to aspects of the Mosaic Law or engaged in elaborate discussions about lineage, which could foster pride or irrelevant speculations. Paul encourages a pastoral approach characterized by sound teaching, love, and patience, rather than engaging in fruitless argumentation.
- Practical Application: Christians should be discerning about where they invest their energy in discussion. Engaging in heated debates over secondary issues that have no clear bearing on salvation or godly living can be detrimental. Instead, focus should be on mutually edifying conversations, understanding scripture for growth, and demonstrating love in action. For example, rather than getting into prolonged arguments about very specific eschatological timelines, one might focus on the hopeful expectation of Christ's return and its call to holy living.