“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain” (Titus 3:9).

Paul’s admonition to avoid “foolish questions” possibly refers to the “fables . . . which minister questions” (I Timothy 1:4). Paul had been raised among the Jewish hierarchy and had been exposed to these “fables” (literally a “mysterious discourse,” or a superstitious story), and if these were incorporated into the teachings of Christianity, they would dilute the truth. In fact, Paul said, they would bring “envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings” (I Timothy 6:4); “they are unprofitable and vain” (Titus 3:9); and “they do gender strifes” (II Timothy 2:23). Paul also warned against the Jewish practice of researching and recording “genealogies,” which, because of their prideful attempt to establish divine favor and position on the basis of tribal heritage, engendered the same divisive effects listed above.

“Strivings about the law” (Titus 3:9) were also unnecessary time consumers, for “the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ. . . . But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. . . . There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free” (Galatians 3:24–28).

Paul wanted his disciple’s time spent studying God’s word (II Timothy 2:15). He was to teach and exhort with “wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Timothy 6:3) and “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (I Timothy 6:11). We also need to heed these instructions, for it is “sound doctrine” that will “exhort” and “convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9), and when men see our good works, they will glorify our Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). CJH