Titus 3:9 – Strifes and fightings about law

Yet stand aloof from stupid questionings and genealogies and strifes and fightings about law, for they are without benefit and vain.

In addition to speculative issues (“stupid questions”) and dubious genealogies, Titus also had to avoid “strifes and fightings about law”. Paul had no problem with Jews who lived Jewish (1Cor.9:20), but he did when they wanted to promote (judaize) this way of life among the nations. With the “strifes and fightings about law” he refers to such people who also competed among themselves and exacerbated petty differences and caused conflicts.

The instruction to avoid these kinds of questions and issues is still very current. For Christendom is infested with such influences. Think, for example, of wanting to impose the Sabbath, Sunday or other high times, tithing or disputes over the sacrament and baptism, and so on. All such conflicts are a denial of the freedom we have in Christ Jesus (Gal. 2:4).

The commonality of all the things Titus had to avoid is that they are all “without benefit and vain.” Without benefit means that it is neither beneficial nor constructive. And vain means: it is speculative and empty. Despite the heated discussions, it is not about anything. The reliable word… that’s all that matters!

Delen: