Titus 3:9 BSB — MannaFest

Titus 3:9

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

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

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

KJV

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

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Commentary

4 voices

Ambrose of Milan

OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 5, Prologue 3-4 (397)

Blessed is that servant [Paul] who can say: "I have fed you with milk and not with meat; for until now you were not able to bear it." … Yet he—being so great a man and chosen by Christ for the care of his flock in order to strengthen the weak and to heal the sick—rejects immediately after a single admonition a heretic from the fold entrusted to him. This he does for fear that the taint of one erring sheep might infect the whole flock with a spreading sore. He further bids that foolish questions and contentions be avoided.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

They are so far from instructing and building up in godliness, that they are hindrances of it rather: the Christian religion, and good works, which are to be maintained, will hereby be weakened and prejudiced, the peace of the church disturbed, and the progress of the gospel hindered.

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

But avoid foolish questions and genealogies - See the 1Ti 1:4 note; 2Ti 2:16, 2Ti 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 1Ti 1:4; compare the notes at Act 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.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

16 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
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 walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
1 Timothy 4:7
But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
leads to
- 2 Timothy 2:16
  But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- 1 Timothy 1:4
  or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- Titus 2:12
  It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
- 2 Peter 1:5–8
  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
Through
2 Timothy 2:23
But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
leads to
- 2 Timothy 2:14
  Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
Through
2 Timothy 2:16
But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
leads to
- 1 Timothy 6:20
  O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”
Through
2 Timothy 2:14
Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
leads to
- 2 Timothy 2:23
  But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
- Titus 3:9–11
  But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.

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About Titus

Preaching in the Wilderness — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

Titus: the study guide →Read chapter 3 →The featured study →

Continue: Titus 3 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About Titus

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About Titus