Titus 3:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} avoid {G4026} foolish {G3474} questions {G2214}, and {G2532} genealogies {G1076}, and {G2532} contentions {G2054}, and {G2532} strivings about {G3163} the law {G3544}; for {G1063} they are {G1526} unprofitable {G512} and {G2532} vain {G3152}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, quarrels and fights about the Torah; because they are worthless and futile.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Titus 3:9 issues a direct command from the Apostle Paul to Titus, instructing him to actively steer clear of unproductive and divisive discussions within the Christian community on Crete. This verse identifies "foolish questions," "genealogies," "contentions," and "strivings about the law" as pursuits that are ultimately "unprofitable and vain," serving only to distract from the core truths of the gospel and undermine the unity and spiritual health of believers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a sharp contrast to the preceding exhortations in [Titus 3:1-8](/titus/3-1-8 "Titus 3:1-8 - Exhortations for Christian Conduct"). Paul has just outlined the positive behaviors expected of believers: submission to authorities, kindness, gentleness, and readiness for good works, all rooted in the transformative grace of God. He describes the profound change from a past life of foolishness and disobedience to one of righteousness through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Verse 9 then pivots, using the adversative "But," to warn against specific negative behaviors that would counteract the positive impact of the gospel and hinder the spiritual growth and unity that Paul desires for the Cretan churches. It functions as a practical application of the sound doctrine Paul has been emphasizing throughout the letter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The island of Crete, where Titus was ministering, was known for its challenging cultural environment, often characterized by moral laxity and a propensity for deception, as noted in [Titus 1:12](/titus/1-12 "Titus 1:12 - Cretans are Liars"). Within this context, the early Christian communities faced internal threats from false teachers, particularly those of Jewish background who insisted on the necessity of Mosaic Law observance and endless debates about Jewish traditions and genealogies (cf. [Titus 1:10-11](/titus/1-10-11 "Titus 1:10-11 - Rebuking False Teachers")). These individuals often engaged in speculative arguments and legalistic disputes, which fostered division rather than genuine faith and love. Paul's directive reflects a broader concern seen in his other pastoral letters to combat such influences that threatened to corrupt the simplicity of the gospel and distract believers from lives of practical godliness.
* **Key Themes:** Titus 3:9 contributes significantly to several key themes in the letter to Titus and Paul's broader theology. Foremost is the theme of **sound doctrine and practical godliness**, emphasizing that true faith is not merely intellectual assent or engagement in endless debates, but a life transformed by grace, leading to good works (cf. [Titus 2:11-14](/titus/2-11-14 "Titus 2:11-14 - The Grace of God Teaches Us")). It also highlights the theme of **church unity and avoiding division**, as these "foolish questions" and "strivings" inevitably lead to discord and undermine the peace of the community (cf. [Titus 3:10-11](/titus/3-10-11 "Titus 3:10-11 - Dealing with Divisive People")). Furthermore, the verse underscores the **profitability of truth versus the futility of error**, contrasting activities that are "unprofitable and vain" with the "good works" that are "profitable unto men" (cf. [Titus 3:8](/titus/3-8 "Titus 3:8 - Be Careful to Maintain Good Works")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **avoid (Greek, _periḯstēmi'_):** This term means "to stand all around," but in this context, it carries the sense of keeping away from, shunning, or avoiding. It implies a deliberate and active withdrawal from engagement with these specified activities, rather than merely passive disinterest. Paul is not just suggesting indifference but a conscious decision to distance oneself from these unproductive discussions.
* **foolish (Greek, _mōrós'_):** Derived from a root meaning "dull" or "stupid," this adjective describes something as absurd, senseless, or lacking spiritual wisdom. When applied to "questions," it indicates inquiries that are not only trivial but also spiritually barren, leading nowhere productive and often stemming from a lack of true understanding or a misplaced focus.
* **unprofitable (Greek, _anōphelḗs'_):** This word is formed from a negative particle ("a-") and the root for "useful" or "beneficial." It literally means "useless" or "without profit." Paul uses it to emphasize that the specified activities yield no spiritual benefit, contribute nothing to godliness, and do not advance the kingdom of God or the spiritual well-being of individuals or the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But avoid foolish questions":** Paul begins with a strong injunction to actively turn away from inquiries or debates that are senseless, absurd, or lack any spiritual substance. These are not questions that seek genuine understanding or edification, but rather those that are trivial, speculative, or designed to stir up controversy.
* **"and genealogies":** This refers to discussions or disputes concerning ancestral lines, particularly common in Jewish contexts. While historical lineage could be important, obsessive or prideful preoccupation with genealogies, especially when used to establish spiritual superiority or to engage in endless, unedifying debates, is deemed unproductive by Paul.
* **"and contentions":** This term signifies quarrels, wrangling, or strife. It points to the argumentative spirit itself, where individuals are more interested in winning a debate or asserting their own viewpoint than in fostering unity or seeking truth in love.
* **"and strivings about the law":** This phrase specifically targets legalistic disputes or controversies over the interpretation and application of the Mosaic Law. Such arguments often led to bitter divisions, as factions within the early church debated the necessity of circumcision, dietary laws, or other aspects of the Law for salvation or sanctification, rather than focusing on the sufficiency of Christ's grace.
* **"for they are unprofitable and vain":** This concluding clause provides the rationale for Paul's directive. The activities listed are to be avoided precisely because they yield no spiritual fruit ("unprofitable") and are ultimately empty, useless, or futile ("vain"). They do not build up faith, promote love, or contribute to the growth of the church, but rather drain energy and foster division.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in [Titus 3:9](/titus/3-9 "Titus 3:9 - Avoid Futile Debates") to convey his urgent message. The verse begins with an **Adversative Conjunction** ("But"), clearly signaling a sharp contrast with the preceding positive exhortations. This creates a rhetorical tension, highlighting the divergence between godly conduct and the unproductive behaviors being warned against. Paul uses **Enumeration** by listing four distinct categories of things to avoid: "foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law." This list provides specific examples, making the instruction concrete and actionable. The repetition of "and" (polysyndeton) emphasizes the cumulative nature of these destructive practices. Finally, the verse concludes with a powerful **Justification** or **Reasoning Clause** ("for they are unprofitable and vain"), which functions as a concise summary of why these activities must be shunned. This rhetorical move provides the theological and practical basis for the command, appealing to the reader's understanding of spiritual utility.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Titus 3:9 underscores a vital theological principle: genuine Christian faith is not characterized by intellectual gymnastics, speculative debates, or legalistic wrangling, but by a life transformed by grace that expresses itself in good works and unity. Paul consistently warns against activities that distract from the core message of the gospel and undermine the peace of the church. The emphasis is on spiritual profitability and the pursuit of what truly builds up the body of Christ, rather than engaging in discussions that are empty and lead to division. This aligns with the broader New Testament emphasis on practical godliness and the importance of love and unity within the community of believers, contrasting the fruit of the Spirit with the works of the flesh.

* [1 Timothy 1:3-4](/1_timothy/1-3-4 "1 Timothy 1:3-4 - Avoid Fables and Genealogies")
* [2 Timothy 2:23-24](/2_timothy/2-23-24 "2 Timothy 2:23-24 - Avoid Foolish Disputes")
* [Romans 14:19](/romans/14-19 "Romans 14:19 - Pursue Peace and Edification")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's directive in [Titus 3:9](/titus/3-9 "Titus 3:9 - A Call to Discernment") remains profoundly relevant for believers today, serving as a timeless guide for healthy Christian discourse and community life. In an age saturated with information and diverse opinions, the temptation to engage in "foolish questions" or "vain" debates is ever-present, whether in theological discussions, social media interactions, or even within church contexts. This verse calls us to spiritual discernment, urging us to evaluate the purpose and outcome of our conversations. Are they building up, or tearing down? Do they lead to greater godliness and unity, or to division and distraction? Applying this verse means prioritizing what is spiritually profitable, focusing on the core truths of the gospel, and actively cultivating peace and edification within our relationships and communities. It encourages us to invest our time and energy in pursuits that yield genuine spiritual fruit, rather than wasting them on arguments that are ultimately empty and unproductive.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What kinds of "foolish questions" or "vain" discussions do I tend to engage in, whether online or in person?**
* **How can I better discern whether a conversation is leading to spiritual profit or simply to contention?**
* **In what ways might my own pride or desire to be right contribute to "strivings about the law" or other divisive debates?**
* **What practical steps can I take to redirect conversations towards edification and unity, especially when they begin to stray into unprofitable territory?**

### FAQ

**What exactly are "foolish questions" and "genealogies" that Paul warns against?**

Answer: The "foolish questions" (Greek, _mōras zētēseis_) Paul refers to are not genuine inquiries seeking truth, but rather senseless, absurd, or spiritually unproductive debates that lead nowhere. They are often speculative, trivial, or designed to stir up controversy rather than build up faith. "Genealogies" (Greek, _genealogias_) specifically refer to tracing family lines. While lineage could be important in certain contexts, Paul is warning against an obsessive preoccupation with ancestry, particularly within Jewish circles, where it might have been used to establish spiritual superiority or engage in endless, unedifying discussions that distracted from the gospel. Both were likely issues within the early church, especially among those with a strong Jewish background, that led to division and wasted time. Paul also warns against similar issues in [1 Timothy 1:4](/1_timothy/1-4 "1 Timothy 1:4 - Avoid Fables and Endless Genealogies").

**Why does Paul say these activities are "unprofitable and vain"?**

Answer: Paul states that these activities are "unprofitable" (Greek, _anōphelḗs_) because they yield no spiritual benefit or advantage; they do not contribute to godliness, spiritual growth, or the advancement of the gospel. They are "vain" (Greek, _mátaios_) in the sense that they are empty, useless, or futile. They consume time, energy, and attention without producing any lasting positive outcome. Instead of building up the church or individual believers, these debates often lead to division, bitterness, and a distraction from the essential truths and practical applications of the Christian faith, as highlighted in [Titus 3:8](/titus/3-8 "Titus 3:8 - Good Works are Profitable").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Titus 3:9](/titus/3-9 "Titus 3:9 - The Futility of Vain Debates") directly addresses the avoidance of specific unproductive debates, its underlying principle points profoundly to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of all profitable truth and the end of all vain striving. The "strivings about the law" that Paul condemns find their resolution in Christ, who is the "end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law")). Legalistic debates become obsolete in light of God's grace revealed in Jesus, who fulfilled the Law perfectly, rendering human attempts to achieve righteousness through its minute observance as "unprofitable and vain." Furthermore, the "foolish questions" and "genealogies" that distract from the gospel are superseded by the singular, saving truth of Christ. Our identity and worth are no longer found in earthly lineage or speculative knowledge, but solely in our union with Christ, through whom we become "new creation[s]" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). All true wisdom and knowledge are "hidden in Christ" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - All Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")), making any pursuit outside of Him ultimately empty. Thus, avoiding these futile discussions is not merely a negative command, but a positive call to fix our gaze upon Jesus, the source of all spiritual profit and the substance of our faith, in whom all things hold together and find their true meaning ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Holds All Things Together")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

2 Timothy 2:23

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

1 Timothy 4:7

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness.

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

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,

1 Timothy 1:7

Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.