Titus 3:9

Titus 3:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
• New International Version (NIV)But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

Context of Titus 3:9

7Because God is very kind, he has accepted us as right with himself. As a result, we know that we will receive the good things that God has prepared for us. We know that we will live with God for ever. 8That message is certainly true. So you must teach people the things that I have said in this letter. Make sure that they understand them well. Then the people who have believed in God will be careful to do good things. Good things like that will help everyone. But stay away from people who argue about silly things. They study long lists of their families' names from years ago. Refuse to quarrel with people like that. Refuse to argue about the rules in God's Law. All those kinds of things have no value and they do not help anyone. 10If someone teaches a false message that causes trouble, warn him. If you warn him twice and he still does not stop, stay away from him. 11You know that a person like that has chosen not to believe the true message. He knows that he is doing a bad thing, but he continues to do it.

Titus 3:9 word by word

μωρὰς δὲ ζητήσεις καὶ γενεαλογίας καὶ ἔρεις καὶ μάχας νομικὰς περιΐστασο· εἰσὶν γὰρ ἀνωφελεῖς καὶ μάταιοι.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• avoidπεριΐστημιperiistēmi · to stand aroundG4026
• foolishμωρόςmōros · foolishG3474
• questionsζήτησιςzētēsis · controversyG2214
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• genealogiesγενεαλογίαgenealogia · genealogyG1076
• contentionsἔριςeris · quarrelG2054
• strivingsμάχηmachē · quarrelG3163
• about the lawνομικόςnomikos · lawyerG3544
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• they areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• unprofitableἀνωφελήςanōpheles · uselessG512
• vainμάταιοςmataios · futileG3152

Commentaries on Titus 3:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Avoid 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9But avoid foolish questions and genealogies - See the 1 Timothy 1:4 note; 2 Timothy 2:16, 2 Timothy 2:23 notes. And contentions, and strivings about the law - Such as the Jews started about various matters connected with the law - about meats and drinks, etc.; the notes at 1 Timothy 1:4; compare the notes at 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-11Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-11The emphasis on sound teaching continues (1:9; 2:1). Now Paul shifts his focus to how the Christian community relates to society in general (compare 1 Timothy 2:2–4). As in Titus 2:1–15, God’s instructions for his people in 3:1–2 are based on his interactions with them (3:3–7; compare study note on 2:11–15). Paul then instructs Titus to avoid pointless arguments and to insist on beneficial teaching (3:8–11).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. 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…Read the comment

Topics related to Titus 3:9

• Genealogy
• Minister, Christian
• Preaching
• Strife
• Vanity

In the dictionaries

• Admonition
• Constantly
• Contention
• Principality
• Regeneration
• Serve
• Striving
• Subject
• Titus, Epistle to
• Apostolic Age

Commentaries on Titus 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings