Titus 3:9-15 (NKJV) But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
Final Messages
12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
Farewell
15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
V9 “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.” There are 4 things church leaders, indeed, all believers should avoid: 1) foolish disputes, 2) genealogies, 3) contentions, and 4) strivings about the law. The reason is these things have no profit and are totally useless for living the Christian faith. The Greek words for “foolish disputes” are (G3474) μωρός mōrós, which means stupid, unthinking, lacking wisdom and (G2214) ζήτησις zḗtēsis, which means seeking for answers, thus debating, arguing, etc. Asking questions is not wrong but foolish questions is a waste of time. Compare Ecclesiastes 7:10, Jeremiah 4;22, and Proverbs 15:14. Genealogies refer to both the Jewish system and to Gnostic Aeons. Strivings about the Law = how to interpret and how to apply to daily life and practice.
Quotes:
(JFB): “genealogies — akin to the “fables” (see on 1Ti 1:4). Not so much direct heresy as yet is here referred to, as profitless discussions about genealogies of aeons, etc., which ultimately led to Gnosticism. Synagogue discourses were termed daraschoth, that is, “discussions.” Compare “disputer of this world (Greek, ‘dispensation’).”
John Gill: “…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, and the other another; and what one declared to be free according to the law, the other declared forbidden; which occasioned great contentions and quarrels between the followers of the one, and of the other, as both the Misna and Talmud show…”
(Holman Commentary) “They created intricate systems of interpretation based upon Old Testament Jewish law. These systems involved genealogies, legends, and fables of Hebrew tradition and invention which pulled the new convert and others into a tangle of speculation.”
(Holman Commentary) “The modern church falls prey to the same mentality, arguing and dividing itself over opinions, political views, parenting styles, worship styles, secondary theological issues, and a vast assortment of opinions and personal preferences that we elevate to spiritual law. Where this occurs, the result is the same today as in the first century. The church is distracted from its mission to bring salvation, love, and hope to a dying world.”
V10 “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition…” A divisive person is one who does and continues to do the 4 things Paul said one should not do. These people are to be warned after one time and certainly after two warnings. Their teaching will effect the church and cause it to be ineffective. Truly, A little leaven leavens the whole lump (Galatians 5:9).
V11 “…knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” The idea of “warped” is they are focused to studying and talking about stupid things instead of what God says is important. Doing this is sin. They condemn themselves by what they say and do.
V12 “When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.” (Holman Commentary) “Paul conveyed to Titus his plans regarding the future ministry on Crete. He planned to send either Artemas or Tychicus to the island to assume Titus’s responsibilities. At the time of writing, Paul had yet to determine which of these men would assume leadership from Titus. Nothing else is known of Artemas. Tychicus, however, had worked with Paul before, traveling with him through Macedonia and Greece (Acts 20:4). Although it cannot be proved, it is likely that Artemas sailed for Crete to relieve Titus of his duties. In his letter to Timothy, Paul mentioned sending Tychicus to Ephesus (2 Tim. 4:12).”
V13 “Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing.” Instructions to Pastor Titus regarding Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos, the missionary.
V14 “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” A final reminder for all Christians to keep doing good to glorify God, to meet urgent needs (food, housing, assistance, etc.) for the purpose of being fruitful. Being fruitful is to be a witness of God’s greatness to everyone.
V15 “All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”