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Selected Verse: Titus 3:9 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Tit 3:9 |
Strong Concordance |
But [1161] avoid [4026] foolish [3474] questions [2214], and [2532] genealogies [1076], and [2532] contentions [2054], and [2532] strivings about [3163] the law [3544]; for [1063] they are [1526] unprofitable [512] and [2532] vain [3152]. |
| |
King James |
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
avoid--stand aloof from. Same Greek, as in Ti2 2:16; see on Ti2 2:16.
foolish--Greek, "insipid"; producing no moral fruit. "Vain talkers."
genealogies--akin to the "fables" (see on Ti1 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, 'dispensation')."
strivings about the law--about the authority of the "commandments of men," which they sought to confirm by the law (Tit 1:14; see on Ti1 1:7), and about the mystical meaning of the various parts of the law in connection with the "genealogies." |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
But avoid foolish questions and genealogies - See the Ti1 1:4 note; Ti2 2:16, Ti2 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 Ti1 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. The same thing might be said of multitudes of things about which men dispute so earnestly now. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Foolish questions, etc.
See on Ti2 2:23. For genealogies see on Ti1 1:4.
Strivings about the law (μάχας νομικὰς)
The phrase N.T.o. Comp. Ti1 1:7. Νομικός mostly in Luke. Everywhere except here a lawyer, with the article or τὶς.
Unprofitable (ἀνωφελεῖς)
Only here and Heb 7:18.
Vain (μάταιοι)
Only here in Pastorals. Twice in Paul, Co1 3:20, cit.; Co1 15:17 (note). Very frequent in lxx. The sense is aimless or resultless, as μάταιος εὐχή a prayer which cannot obtain fulfilment. The questions, genealogies, etc., lead to no attainment or advancement in godliness. Comp. ματαιολογία jangling, Ti1 1:6; ματαιολόγοι vain talkers, Ti1 1:10; ματαιότης vanity, Rom 8:20; Eph 4:17; ἐματαιώθησαν were made vain, Rom 1:21; μάτην in vain, Mat 15:9. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Avoid 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 which he answered: This is a difficult question, but I will tell the reason: Their heads are round because they have but little wit.
Q. Why are the eyes of the Tarmudians so soft?
A. Because they inhabit a sandy country.
Q. Why have the Africans broad feet?
A. Because they inhabit a marshy country. See more in Schoettgen.
But ridiculous and trifling as these are, they are little in comparison to those solemnly proposed and most gravely answered by those who are called the schoolmen. Here is a specimen, which I leave the reader to translate: -
Utrum essent excrementa in Paradiso? Utrum sancti resurgent cum intestinis? Utrum, si deipara fuisset vir, potuisset esse naturalis parens Christi?
These, with many thousands of others, of equal use to religion and common sense, may be found in their writings. See the Summa of Thomas Aquinas, passim. Might not the Spirit have these religious triflers in view, rather than the less ridiculous Jews? See the notes on Ti1 1:4; Ti2 2:23 (note).
Contentions, and strivings about the law - Of legal contentions, and different and conflicting decisions about the meaning of particular rites and ceremonies, the Talmud is full. |
7 Desiring [2309] to be [1511] teachers of the law [3547]; [3361] understanding [3539] neither [3383] what [3739] they say [3004], nor [3383] whereof [4012] [5101] they affirm [1226].
14 Not [3361] giving heed [4337] to Jewish [2451] fables [3454], and [2532] commandments [1785] of men [444], that turn from [654] the truth [225].
4 Neither [3366] give heed [4337] to fables [3454] and [2532] endless [562] genealogies [1076], which [3748] minister [3930] questions [2214], rather [3123] than [2228] godly [2316] edifying [3620] which [3588] is in [1722] faith [4102]: so do.
16 But [1161] shun [4026] profane [952] and vain babblings [2757]: for [1063] they will increase [4298] unto [1909] more [4119] ungodliness [763].
16 But [1161] shun [4026] profane [952] and vain babblings [2757]: for [1063] they will increase [4298] unto [1909] more [4119] ungodliness [763].
15 But [1161] if [1487] it be [2076] a question [2213] of [4012] words [3056] and [2532] names [3686], and [2532] of [2596] your [5209] law [3551], look ye [3700] [846] to it; for [1063] I [1473] will be [1014] [1511] no [3756] judge [2923] of such [5130] matters.
4 Neither [3366] give heed [4337] to fables [3454] and [2532] endless [562] genealogies [1076], which [3748] minister [3930] questions [2214], rather [3123] than [2228] godly [2316] edifying [3620] which [3588] is in [1722] faith [4102]: so do.
23 But [1161] foolish [3474] and [2532] unlearned [521] questions [2214] avoid [3868], knowing [1492] that [3754] they do gender [1080] strifes [3163].
16 But [1161] shun [4026] profane [952] and vain babblings [2757]: for [1063] they will increase [4298] unto [1909] more [4119] ungodliness [763].
4 Neither [3366] give heed [4337] to fables [3454] and [2532] endless [562] genealogies [1076], which [3748] minister [3930] questions [2214], rather [3123] than [2228] godly [2316] edifying [3620] which [3588] is in [1722] faith [4102]: so do.
9 But [1161] in vain [3155] they do worship [4576] me [3165], teaching [1321] for doctrines [1319] the commandments [1778] of men [444].
21 Because [1360] that, when they knew [1097] God [2316], they glorified [1392] him not [3756] as [5613] God [2316], neither [2228] were thankful [2168]; but [235] became vain [3154] in [1722] their [846] imaginations [1261], and [2532] their [846] foolish [801] heart [2588] was darkened [4654].
17 This [5124] I say [3004] therefore [3767], and [2532] testify [3143] in [1722] the Lord [2962], that ye [5209] henceforth [3371] walk [4043] not [3371] as [2531] [2532] other [3062] Gentiles [1484] walk [4043], in [1722] the vanity [3153] of their [846] mind [3563],
20 For [1063] the creature [2937] was made subject [5293] to vanity [3153], not [3756] willingly [1635], but [235] by reason [1223] of him who hath subjected [5293] the same in [1909] hope [1680],
10 For whoremongers [4205], for them that defile themselves with mankind [733], for menstealers [405], for liars [5583], for perjured persons [1965], and [2532] if there be any [1536] other thing [2087] that is contrary [480] to sound [5198] doctrine [1319];
6 From which [3739] some [5100] having swerved [795] have turned aside [1624] unto [1519] vain jangling [3150];
17 And [1161] if [1487] Christ [5547] be [1453] not [3756] raised [1453], your [5216] faith [4102] is vain [3152]; ye are [2075] yet [2089] in [1722] your [5216] sins [266].
20 And [2532] again [3825], The Lord [2962] knoweth [1097] the thoughts [1261] of the wise [4680], that [3754] they are [1526] vain [3152].
18 For [1063] there is [1096] verily [3303] a disannulling [115] of the commandment [1785] going before [4254] for [1223] the weakness [772] and [2532] unprofitableness [512] thereof [846].
7 Desiring [2309] to be [1511] teachers of the law [3547]; [3361] understanding [3539] neither [3383] what [3739] they say [3004], nor [3383] whereof [4012] [5101] they affirm [1226].
4 Neither [3366] give heed [4337] to fables [3454] and [2532] endless [562] genealogies [1076], which [3748] minister [3930] questions [2214], rather [3123] than [2228] godly [2316] edifying [3620] which [3588] is in [1722] faith [4102]: so do.
23 But [1161] foolish [3474] and [2532] unlearned [521] questions [2214] avoid [3868], knowing [1492] that [3754] they do gender [1080] strifes [3163].
23 But [1161] foolish [3474] and [2532] unlearned [521] questions [2214] avoid [3868], knowing [1492] that [3754] they do gender [1080] strifes [3163].
4 Neither [3366] give heed [4337] to fables [3454] and [2532] endless [562] genealogies [1076], which [3748] minister [3930] questions [2214], rather [3123] than [2228] godly [2316] edifying [3620] which [3588] is in [1722] faith [4102]: so do.