Titus 3:9 (LSB)

Passage

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and conflicts about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Nearby Context

Titus 3:7 so that having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:8 This is a trustworthy saying. And concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be intent to lead in good works. These things are good and profitable for men.

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and conflicts about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Titus 3:10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,

Titus 3:11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "avoid", "foolish", "controversies", "genealogies", "strife", "conflicts", "unprofitable", and "worthless". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "avoid" and "foolish", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "This is a trustworthy saying And concerning..." into verse 10's "Reject a factious man after a first...", so "avoid" and "foolish" belong inside that flow. In Titus context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "avoid" and "foolish" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.