Tit 1:14, 3:9 | JFB | STEP | 14. Jewish fables —(See on ; ; ). These formed the transition stage to subsequent Gnosticism; as yet the error was but profitless, and not tending to godliness, rather than openly opposed to the faith. commandments of men —as to ascetic abstinence ( ). that turn from the truth —whose characteristic is that they turn away from the truth ( ).

Titus 1:14

14. Jewish fables—(See on 1Ti 1:4; 1Ti 4:7; 2Ti 4:4). These formed the transition stage to subsequent Gnosticism; as yet the error was but profitless, and not tending to godliness, rather than openly opposed to the faith.

commandments of men—as to ascetic abstinence (Tit 1:15; Mr 7:7-9; Col 2:16, 20-23; 1Ti 4:3).

that turn from the truth—whose characteristic is that they turn away from the truth (2Ti 4:4).

Titus 3:9

9. avoid—stand aloof from. Same Greek, as in 2Ti 2:16; see on 2Ti 2:16.

foolish—Greek, "insipid"; producing no moral fruit. "Vain talkers."

genealogies—akin to the "fables" (see on 1Ti 1:4). Not so much direct heresy as yet is here referred to, as profitless discussions about genealogies of aeons, &c., which ultimately led to Gnosticism. Synagogue discourses were termed daraschoth, that is, "discussions." Compare "disputer of this world (Greek, 'dispensation')."

strivings about the law—about the authority of the "commandments of men," which they sought to confirm by the law (Tit 1:14; see on 1Ti 1:7), and about the mystical meaning of the various parts of the law in connection with the "genealogies."