Titus - 15

A Study Of The Book Of Titus.

Lesson 15 Chapter 3:9 – 11

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Verse 9 “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”
1. “But avoid foolish questions…” this is better described in 2 Timothy 2:23 “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.”

a. A foolish question would be a question that has no solid wisdom in them; which would be something like a question that cannot be explained biblically like – is Jehovah and Allah the same God? Or what came first the chicken or the egg or anything that is a man made religion.

b. God said in Matthew 7:6 “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” - This phrase is used in a metaphorical sense; it is generally understood of not delivering or communicating the holy word of God, and the truths of the Gospel, comparable to pearls, or the ordinances of it, to persons notoriously vile and sinful. – John Gill – This would be to people that it is not going to do any good. For example like a group of people who will just laugh and mock Gods word.

c. I like J. Vernon McGee's explanation best; "We are to defend the faith, Paul says, but we are not to do it by argument or debate. That does no good; that never led anyone to the Lord. You may whip a man down intellectually by your arguments, but that does not touch his heart and win him for Christ. Stay away from foolish questions.”

d. Let us not forget Paul had already warned Titus about this. Titus 1:14 “Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.”

2. “…and contentions, and strivings about the law…” contentions means – quarrels, debates and “strivings” means – to battle or to fight. - We are to defend the scriptures and doctrines of it, but Paul concludes we are not to do it by argument or debate. 1 Timothy 1:4 - 7 "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. (5.) Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (6.) From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; (7.) Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm." – We are not allowed to argue with other religions because it will do no good.
3. “…for they are unprofitable and vain.” – God said “THEY” not just what they believe and argue but we must realize they are damaged goods themselves. Unless God is working in their hearts what we “discuss” with them will not profit them or us or the furthering of the gospel.

a. Job asked in Job 15:3 “Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?” and he also asked in Job 16:2 - 3 "I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. (3.) Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth (pressure or irritate them) thee that thou answerest?"

b. Colossians 4:5 - 6 “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (6.) Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

2. Verse 10 “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;”
1. The word “heretic” is now commonly applied to one who holds some fundamental error of doctrine, “a person who holds and teaches opinions repugnant to the established faith – According to Webster. In the Greek it means – a schismatic – which means one that causes division.

a. Acts 24:14 “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:” – this is dealing with what you believe contradicting the scriptures. Paul is saying that Christianity doesn’t contradict the scriptures. But it is hard to prove that works is a part of salvation when God profoundly denies it. i.e. Ephesians 2:8 - 10

b. Here a “heretic” is one who causes division among the brethren of church. 1 Corinthians 12:25 “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”

2. “…after the first and second admonition reject;” Admonition means – to warn them a couple of times then you must deal with them. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”

a. The word reject after a couple of warnings means – to avoid them - 2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”

b. Also let us remember the Lord had just told them and us to avoid them. (Verse 9 “But avoid foolish questions…”)

c. However let us never forget talking to them is always the first course of action. Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”

d. They are just hurting themselves Verse 11 “Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” But they must be stopped before they hurt others. Titus 1:11 “Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.”