But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Parallel translations
- WEB but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
- BSB But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
- 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 2:14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
- 2 Tim 2:23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
- 1 Tim 4:7But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
- 2 Tim 2:16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
- Titus 1:14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
- Job 15:3Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?
- 1 Tim 1:3–7As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
- 1 Cor 8:1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
- 1 Cor 13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, 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
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