Session Devotional: Titus 3:9-11

A. Avoiding Controversial Topics: But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless (9).

Paul here warns Titus about the dangers of foolish controversies and possibly he has in mind the same people addressed in Titus 1:10-16. Those of the “circumcision party” (1:10) and the gentile “Cretans” had their issues when it came to controversy and it would appear that Paul has come full circle in his instruction to Titus.

Yarbrough points out that, Paul is not ordering Titus to avoid all controversy, for that would require retirement from ministry. It is “foolish controversies” that Paul targets (Letters to Timothy and Titus, PNTC).

This would likely be things that are not resolvable or that have little to no implications for life in godliness.

Paul then list some potential categories that could be sources for “foolish controversies” in the congregations at Crete.

Genealogies- This would have been critical in Jewish belief and practice due to the ethnic identity issues related to the Abrahamic covenant. This would be controversial due to the gospel reality of the true seed of Abraham being one of faith and not ethnicity.

Dissensions- This would be those positions that people hold simply as a matter of strife out of human pride.

Quarrels about the Law- This in all probability is in regards to the “circumcision party” who may have been arguing for certain requirements for law observance for the Christian faith.

These are considered by Paul to be of no value to the edification of the church.

What are some potential controversies today that are worthless and unprofitable?

B. Avoiding Controversial People: 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned (10-11).

Paul then gives Titus instruction on how to deal with people who stir up division using such foolish controversies. They are to be given 2 warnings and after the second warning you are to have nothing to do with them. This certainly could be a reason for excommunication due to the reviling potential of such division (1 Corinthians 5:11–13: 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

Titus is to be aware of the true nature of such a person. They are “warped” as they refuse to turn aside from what is considered true or morally proper (BAGD). And they are “sinful” in their own actions.

The person who stirs up division and refuses to repent are “self-condemned” in their actions. This is describing someone whose own words, actions, or behavior demonstrate their own worthiness for condemnation (Lexham Research Lexicon of the GNT).

What is the difference in Titus 3:10 and Matthew 18:15–20?

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”