Read & explore together
Avoid Divisions
These verses give short, direct instructions about arguments and divisiveness. They name certain disputes to shun, set out how to respond to a factious person, and explain why continued divisiveness is taken seriously.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
Titus 3:9-11 is letter teaching, not a story. The passage first names foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law as things to shun because they are unprofitable and vain. It then tells how to deal with a factious person after repeated warnings and describes that person’s condition.
Titus 3:9–11Main takeaway
This passage teaches that empty disputes should be shunned and persistent divisiveness should be answered with warnings and then avoidance.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Things to shunThe passage begins with a clear command to shun several kinds of conflict-filled talk: foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law.
Explanation
The passage begins with a clear command to shun several kinds of conflict-filled talk: foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law. The verse does not leave the reason unclear. These things are called "unprofitable and vain", so the instruction is to turn away from what is empty and without profit.
02The kind of disputes in viewThe wording of verse 9 is specific. It does not speak about all speech in general, but about foolish questionings and disputes that are linked with strife.
Explanation
The wording of verse 9 is specific. It does not speak about all speech in general, but about foolish questionings and disputes that are linked with strife. "Vain" points to emptiness, and "unprofitable" shows a lack of benefit. The focus is on arguments that go nowhere good according to the verse.
03Warnings come before avoidanceVerse 10 moves from disputed topics to a divisive person. The instruction is to avoid a factious man after a first and second warning.
Explanation
Verse 10 moves from disputed topics to a divisive person. The instruction is to avoid a factious man after a first and second warning. That order matters in the verse. Avoidance is not the first step mentioned. The passage includes two warnings before that final response is taken.
04Why this response is necessaryVerse 11 explains the seriousness of a person who remains factious after warnings. Such a person is described as perverted and sinful.
Explanation
Verse 11 explains the seriousness of a person who remains factious after warnings. Such a person is described as perverted and sinful. The verse also says the person is self-condemned. The explanation centres on that person’s own condition and conduct as the reason for the strong response.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Titus 3:9 say to shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law?
Look at the last words of the verse and explain what "unprofitable and vain" says about these disputes.
02What happens before a factious person is avoided?
Follow the order in Titus 3:10 and name the steps that come before avoidance.
03How does Titus 3:11 describe the person who remains factious?
List the words used in the verse itself and consider what they show about the seriousness of the situation.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Titus 3:9–11
9but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning,
11knowing that such a one is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.