SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:9
¶ Mas las cuestiones locas, y las genealogías, y contenciones, y debates acerca de la ley, evita; porque son sin provecho y vanas.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Titus 3:9
Verse 9. Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies] In these the Jews particularly delighted; they abounded in the most frivolous questions; and, as they had little piety themselves, they were solicitous to show that they had descended from godly ancestors. Of their frivolous questions, and the answers given to them by the wisest and most reputable of their rabbins, the following is a specimen:- Rabbi Hillel was asked: Why have the Babylonians round heads? To which he answered: This is a difficult question, but I will tell the reason: Their heads are round because they have but little wit.
Q. Why are the eyes of the Tarmudians so soft? A. Because they inhabit a sandy country.
Q. Why have the Africans broad feet? A. Because they inhabit a marshy country. See more in Schoettgen.
But ridiculous and trifling as these are, they are little in comparison to those solemnly proposed and most gravely answered by those who are called the schoolmen. Here is a specimen, which I leave the reader to translate:- Utrum essent excrementa in Paradiso? Utrum sancti resurgent cum intestinis? Utrum, si deipara fuisset vir, potuisset esse naturalis parens Christi? These, with many thousands of others, of equal use to religion and common sense, may be found in their writings. See the Summa of Thomas Aquinas, passim. Might not the Spirit have these religious triflers in view, rather than the less ridiculous Jews? See the notes on 1 Tim. i. 4; 2 Tim. ii. 23.
Contentions, and strivings about the law] Of legal contentions, and different and conflicting decisions about the meaning of particular rites and ceremonies, the Talmud is full.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. But avoid foolish questions , etc.] Such as were started in the schools of the Jews; (see 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 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 of the other, as both the Misna and Talmud show: and agreeably to this sense, the Syriac version renders it, the contentions and strifes of the scribes; the Jewish doctors, who were some on the side of Hillell, and others on the side of Shammai; as well as went into parties and strifes among themselves, and oftentimes about mere trifles; things of no manner of importance; wherefore it follows, for they are unprofitable and vain ; empty things, of no manner of use, to inform the judgment, improve the mind, or influence the life and conversation.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-11 - When the grace of God towards mankind has been declared, the necessit of good works is pressed. Those who believe in God, must make it their care to maintain good works, to seek opportunities for doing them being influenced by love and gratitude. Trifling, foolish question must be avoided, and subtle distinctions and vain inquiries; nor shoul people be eager after novelties, but love sound doctrine which tend most to edifying. Though we may now think some sins light and little if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.
Greek Textus Receptus
μωρας 3474 δε 1161 ζητησεις 2214 και 2532 γενεαλογιας 1076 και 2532 ερεις 2054 και 2532 μαχας 3163 νομικας 3544 περιιστασο 4026 5732 εισιν 1526 5748 γαρ 1063 ανωφελεις 512 και 2532 ματαιοι 3152
Vincent's NT Word Studies
9. Foolish questions, etc. See on 2 Tim. ii. 23. For genealogies see on 1 Tim. i. 4.
Strivings about the law (macav nomikav). The phrase N.T.o . Comp. 1 Timothy i. 7. Nomikov mostly in Luke. Everywhere except here a lawyer, with the article or tiv.
Unprofitable (anwfeleiv). Only here and Heb. vii. 18.
Vain (mataioi). Only here in Pastorals. Twice in Paul, 1 Corinthians iii. 20, cit.; xv. 17 (note). Very frequent in LXX. The sense is aimless or resultless, as mataiov eujch a prayer which cannot obtain fulfilment. The questions, genealogies, etc., lead to no attainment or advancement in godliness. Comp. mataiologia jangling, 1 Tim. i. 6: mataiologoi vain talkers, verse x. mataiothv vanity, Rom. viii. 20; Eph. iv. 17: ejmataiwqhsan were made vain, Rom. i. 21: mathn in vain, Matthew xv. 9.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:9 {Fightings about the law} (macas nomikas). "Legal battles." See #1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Wordy fights about Mosaic and Pharisaic and Gnostic regulations. {Shun} (periistaso). Present middle imperative of periistemi, intransitive, step around, stand aside (#2Ti 2:16). Common in this sense in the literary _Koin_. {Unprofitable} (anwfeleis). Old compound adjective (a privative and ofelos), in N.T. only here and #Heb 7:18.
