Titus 3:9 (WEB)

Passage

but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Nearby Context

Titus 3:7 that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:8 This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;

Titus 3:9 but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

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

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

Study Lenses

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

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "This saying is faithful and concerning these..." into verse 10's "Avoid a factious man after a first...", so "shun" 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 "shun" and "foolish" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.