Titus 3:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Titus 3:9-15

Here is the fifth and last thing in the matter of the epistle: what Titus should avoid in teaching; how he should deal with a heretic; with some other directions. Observe, I. That the apostle's meaning might be more clear and full, and especially fitted to the time and state of things in Crete, and the many judaizers among them, he tells Titus what, in teaching, he should shun, Titus 3:9. There are needful questions to be discussed and cleared, such as make for improvement in useful knowledge;... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Titus 3:8-11

3:8-11 This is a saying which we are bound to believe--and I want you to keep on affirming these things--that those who have put their faith in God must think and plan bow to practise fine deeds. These are fine things and useful to men. But have nothing to do with foolish speculations and genealogies and contentious and legalistic battles, for they are no good to anyone and serve no useful purpose. Avoid a contentious and opinionative man, after giving him a first and a second warning, for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Titus 3:9

But avoid foolish questions ,.... Such as were started in the schools of the Jews; see 2 Timothy 2:23 and genealogies ; of their elders, Rabbins, and doctors, by whom their traditions are handed down from one to another, in fixing which they greatly laboured; see 1 Timothy 1:4 and contentions and strivings about the law; the rites and ceremonies of it, and about the sense of it, and its various precepts, as litigated in the schools of Hillell and Shammai, the one giving it one way,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:9

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... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:9

Verse 9 9But avoid foolish questions There is no necessity for debating long about the exposition of this passage. He contrasts “questions” with sound and certain doctrine. Although it is necessary to seek, in order to find, yet there is a limit to seeking, that you may understand what is useful to be known, and, next, that you may adhere firmly to the truth, when it has been known. Those who inquire curiously into everything, and are never at rest, may be truly called Questionarians. In short,... 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

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