But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
Parallel translations
- WEB but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes 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.
- NKJV But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
- NASB But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are useless and worthless.
- NLT Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Believers should avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law as useless and empty. It matters because endless speculation distracts from the profitable work of the gospel.
Overview
In contrast to profitable good works, Paul names the unprofitable pursuits of the false teachers: pointless arguments, genealogies, and legal disputes. These produce strife rather than godliness and are to be shunned. The church's energy belongs to the gospel and good works, not divisive speculation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 2 Tim 2:14Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
- 2 Tim 2:23But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
- 1 Tim 4:7But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
- 2 Tim 2:16But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
- Titus 1:14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.
- Job 15:3Should he argue with useless words or speeches that serve no purpose?
- 1 Tim 1:3–7As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines
- 1 Cor 8:1Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
- 1 Cor 13:2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
We await 'the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us' and purify a people of his own.
How Titus 3:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.