What Does Titus 3:9 Mean in the King James?

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Titus 3:9 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

Religious language cannot make a discussion fruitful when it yields no benefit.

THE MEANING

A discussion can keep you circling questions of lineage and law while producing no good for anyone. Here, the measure is its effect: help is absent, and the exchange is empty.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The false belief is that a conversation becomes fruitful just because its subject is Scripture or law. This verse measures it by whether it benefits people.

THE ROOT

ἀνωφελεῖς

anōpheleis

GROWS FROM

ὠφελέω

ōpheleō

to benefit or help

“unprofitable” in this verse is anōpheleis. The word negates benefit: these arguments do not help. One verse earlier, this same word family describes good works as “profitable,” so the passage itself contrasts empty talk with what benefits people.

ALSO GROWS

ōpheleō: To benefit or help.

ὠφελέω

It reveals the positive sense underneath “unprofitable”: the question is whether the exchange helps anyone.

ōphelimos: Useful or bringing benefit.

ὠφέλιμος

This is the word family behind “profitable” in Titus 3:8, where good works are set beside these fruitless disputes.

περιΐστασο

periistaso

GROWS FROM

ἵστημι

histēmi

to stand, set, or place

The verb means to keep away from or avoid, and it belongs to the family of standing. Its image gives “avoid” the feel of taking a position outside the circle of disputes, rather than being drawn into them.

ALSO GROWS

stasis: A standing or position; in some uses, a faction.

στάσις

It shows how taking a fixed position can become division; here, distance keeps the dispute from becoming the center.

anistēmi: To rise or stand up.

ἀνίστημι

This related verb makes clear that the word family can express movement into a different stance; avoiding the quarrel is an active repositioning.

THE PATTERN

When argument multiplies without producing good, it consumes attention while yielding no benefit.

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

2 Timothy 2:23 · KJVThe same pattern appears when questions generate strife instead of understanding.

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

1 Timothy 1:4 · KJVEndless genealogies multiply questions where the passage points toward edification.

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Proverbs 17:14 · KJVContention can spread once it begins, so the verse depicts stopping it before it grows.

THE THREAD

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Titus 3:8 · KJV

A verse earlier, this same benefit-family describes good works as “profitable.” That makes the contrast precise: the disputes may concern law, but they yield no benefit beside work that helps people.

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