Titus 3:9

“But avoid foolish questions, etc.] Such as were started in the schools of the Jews; (see <550223>2 Timothy 2:23) and genealogies; of their elders, Rabbins, and doctors, by whom their traditions are handed down from one to another, in fixing which they greatly laboured; (see <540104>1 Timothy 1:4) and 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…”

“avoid--stand aloof from. Same Greek, as in Ti2 2:16; see on Ti2 2:16. foolish--Greek, "insipid"; producing no moral fruit. "Vain talkers." genealogies--akin to the "fables" (see on Ti1 1:4). Not so much direct heresy as yet is here referred to, as profitless discussions about genealogies of aeons, &c., which ultimately led to Gnosticism. Synagogue discourses were termed daraschoth, that is, "discussions." Compare "disputer of this world (Greek, 'dispensation')." strivings about the law--about the authority of the "commandments of men," which they sought to confirm by the law (Tit 1:14; see on Ti1 1:7), and about the mystical meaning of the various parts of the law in connection with the…”

“But avoid foolish questions and genealogies - See the 1 Timothy 1:4 note; 2 Timothy 2:16, 2 Timothy 2:23 notes. And contentions, and strivings about the law - Such as the Jews started about various matters connected with the law - about meats and drinks, etc.; the notes at 1 Timothy 1:4; compare the notes at Acts 18:15. For they are unprofitable and vain - - They disturb and embitter the feelings; they lead to the indulgence of a bad spirit; they are often difficult to be settled, and are of no practical importance if they could be determined. The same thing might be said of multitudes of things about which men dispute so earnestly now. return to 'Top of Page'”

“avoid: Tit 1:14; Ti1 1:3-7, Ti1 4:7; Ti2 2:23 unprofitable: Job 15:3; Co1 8:1, Co1 13:2; Ti2 2:14 Titus 3:10”