Wrong Verses Right: Titus 3:9 KJV

“… avoid… strivings about the law;…”

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. ~Titus 3:9 KJV

Wrong Interpretation:

Certain professing Christians think this scripture means that we should avoid attempting to understand or explain scriptures about the law or genealogy and avoid anyone who wants to discuss it because it benefits no one.

Right Interpretation:

To avoid understanding the law, and the genealogy of the Bible, is to put the Bible down and decide not to meditate on it. The Bible is the story of God’s people and God’s law.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. ~Joshua 1:8 KJV

The Whole Point of Jesus’ Sacrifice: We find out that when God did away with the law on tablets, it was put into the Spirit. The law then is written in us who are born of the Spirit. This is how Christ’s life, death, and resurrection brought righteousness through our faith in Him, which the law on tablets could not. Therefore, we ought to understand its transition and be able to explain it; just as Paul explained it in detail (with OT references) to the churches.

Therefore, Titus chapter 3 verse 9 begins by saying “foolish questions,” which tells us that this scripture is referencing avoiding ignorant questions.  At the end, Paul says avoid strivings (strivings: gr. rib meaning strife, dispute, controversy, oppositions) about the law because they are not profitable and void (vain: gr. mataios meaning void of truth or empty.)  In between, Paul adds genealogy and contentions, which tells us that overall he is telling us not to discuss stupid questions and oppositions to these things.  Remember, Paul is the one who taught these topics to the churches, so he is not saying that we do not discuss these things at all.  He is saying that there will be people who come as unbelievers or who disagree with what he taught.

Notice that understanding and teaching about the law is truth. Paul knew the law well and through that knowledge, he taught us how the law fits into our salvation given by Christ. This is definitely profitable for us. It is avoiding the untruths about the law and genealogy that Paul is referencing. Unfortunately, many can hardly grasp what Paul is saying because they don’t yet understand the whole point of Jesus’ sacrifice. Therefore, they fail to understand the difference between discussing the law and genealogy in truth as opposed to partaking in foolish oppositions (i.e. strivings) about them.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ~2 Timothy 2:15 KJV