Titus 3:9-11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:11

Verse 11 11Knowing that he who is such is ruined He declares that man to be “ruined,” as to whom there is no hope of repentance, because, if our labor could bring back any man to the right path, it should by no means be withheld. The metaphor is taken from a building, which is not merely decayed in some part, but completely demolished, so that it is incapable of being repaired. He next points out the sign of this ruin — an evil conscience, when he says, that they who do not yield to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:8-14

Christian character. "To maintain good works." This is a repeated counsel, and shows how much need there was of showing that the "belief" spoken of in the eighth verse should not be a mere speculative creed. This Titus is to "affirm constantly," showing that there were those then who had a tendency to antinomianism, or neglect of the Law of moral order and beauty. I. PERMANENCE . "Maintain." Men weary of their efforts after the attainment of a Divine ideal. Holiness is not a gift, it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:8-15

Pearls before swine. There is in some a habit of mind utterly out of harmony with the Word of God. It is not that dogmas, or creeds, or ceremonies are despised and forgotten by them, as they usually are by the pleasure-seeking or moneymaking world. On the contrary, these things are often in their minds and upon their lips. But they handle everything, not with a view to growth in goodness, not with a view to the formation within of a humble, pure, and holy character, but merely as matters... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:9

Shun for avoid, A.V.; questionings for questions, A.V.; strifes for contentions, A.V.; fightings for strivings, A.V. Shun ( περάτασο ); see 2 Timothy 2:16 . Foolish questionings; as 2 Timothy 2:23 . Genealogies ; as 1 Timothy 1:4 . Strifes ( ἔρεις ); as 1 Timothy 6:4 . Fightings about the Law ( μάχας νομικάς ); such as St. Paul alludes to in 1 Timothy 1:1-20 ., and are probably included in the λογομαχίαι of 1 Timothy 6:4 . Unprofitable ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:9

A warning against frivolous and disputative teaching. This is in contrast to the sound teaching just referred to. "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the Law; for they are unprofitable and vain." I. THE THINGS WHICH ARE TO BE PLACED OUTSIDE THE SPHERE OF MINISTERIAL THOUGHT AND CONCERN . 1. Foolish questions. Questions not easily answered, yet if answered without practical bearing upon Christian life.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:9-15

The worthless, the pernicious, and the desirable in social life. "But avoid foolish questions," etc. The text brings under our attention three things. I. THE AVOIDANCE OF THE WORTHLESS IN SOCIAL LIFE . "Avoid foolish questions and genealogies." The "questions" and "genealogies" are referred to in 1 Timothy 1:4 . The apostle characterizes them as foolish because they were of an utterly impractical nature, and consumed time and powers which were needed for other and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:10

Heretical for an heretick, A.V.; a for the, A.V.; refuse for reject, A.V. Heretical ( αἱρετικόν ); only here in the New Testament, not found in the LXX ., but used in classical Greek for " intelligent, " i.e. able to choose. The use of it here by St. Paul is drawn from the use of αἵρεσις for "a sect" ( Acts 5:17 ; Acts 15:5 ; Acts 24:5 , Acts 24:14 ; Acts 26:5 ; Acts 28:22 ; 1 Corinthians 11:19 ; Galatians 5:20 ; 2 Peter 2:1 ), or the doctrines... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:10-11

The right attitude of Christian ministers toward divisive errorists. " A man that is an heretic after a first and second admonition avoid." I. THE TRUE NATURE OF HIS OFFENSE . 1. It is not a case of fundamental or doctrinal error, such as the words "heretic" and "heresy" came to imply in after-ages. Yet it is a mistake to suppose that separatist ways are not caused by divergences of judgment on some points from the settled belief of the Christian community. 2. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:11

Such a one for be that is such, A.V.; perverted for subverted, A.V.; self-condemned for condemned of himself, A.V. Is perverted ( ἐξέστραπται ); only here in the New Testament, but common in the LXX ., and found in classical Greek in a material sense, "to turn inside out," "to root up," and the like. Here it means the complete pervert-ion of the man's Christian character, so as to leave no hope of his amendment. But this is not to be presumed till a first and second... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Titus 3:9

But 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 often difficult to be settled, and are of no... read more

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