• Titus 3:9
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 9 μωρὰς foolish δὲ but ζητήσεις seekings καὶ and γενεαλογίας genealogies καὶ and ἔριν strife καὶ and μάχας fights νομικὰς belonging to law περιίστασο, be you standing around, εἰσὶν they are γὰρ for ἀνωφελεῖς unbeneficial καὶ and μάταιοι. vain.

  • Titus 3:9
    King James Version

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

  • Titus Study Notes—Chapter 3
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 3:9

      foolish arguments: Like the false teachers in Ephesus, some in Crete were promoting pointless and divisive arguments. (See study note on 2Ti 2:23.) Whether the disputes involved the Mosaic Law, genealogies, or false stories, Paul here urges Titus to have nothing to do with such fights. The Greek word Paul uses suggests turning one’s back on or even moving away from such arguments. Titus’ example in doing so would teach others that it was a waste of time and effort to take part in foolish arguments.

      genealogies: See study note on 1Ti 1:4.

      fights over the Law: Christians were not under the Mosaic Law. (Ro 6:14; Ga 3:24, 25) Still, some who were associated with the congregations were arguing that Christians should closely adhere to the many regulations of the Law. (Tit 1:10, 11) In effect, such ones actually rejected God’s means for salvation, namely, the ransom sacrifice of Christ Jesus.​—Ro 10:4; Ga 5:1-4; see study notes on Ga 2:16; 1Ti 1:8.

      for they are unprofitable and futile: Paul characterizes the causes of controversy he just mentioned as being unprofitable or, according to one lexicon, “not being of any advantage.” He also calls them futile or “empty, fruitless, . . . lacking truth.” Paul did not want the Cretan Christians to be distracted from serving God by engaging in divisive disputes that were nothing but a waste of time.