Hidden Treasures: Fables & Endless Genealogies

Titus 3:9 ¶ But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.


This verse echoes what Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:3-4,  "As I urged you when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith."

Whenever something is repeated more than once in the Bible, we can be sure that it is important and we need to pay attention to it.

Here we see Paul saying that as Christians we need to avoid foolish disputes, fables and  genealogies.

Albert Barnes Commentary on fables and disputes :

Neither give heed to fables. That is, that they should not bestow their attention on fables, or regard such trifles as of importance. The "fables" here referred to were probably the idle and puerile superstitions and conceits of the Jewish Rabbies....These were composed of frivolous and unfounded stories, which they regarded as of great importance, and which they seem have desired to incorporate with the teachings of Christianity. Paul, who had been brought up amidst these superstitions, saw at once how they would tend, to draw off the mind from the truth, and would corrupt the true religion. One of the most successful arts of the adversary of souls has been to mingle fable with truth; and when he cannot overthrow the truth by direct opposition, to neutralize it by mingling with it much that is false and frivolous. 

How many churches can you think of where superstitions and stories that are not true to what the Bible teaches are taught, discussed and argued?  How many churches can you think of where these "fables" are mixed with the truth and many are led astray by it?  Many of these church groups spend copious amounts of time spreading their error mixed with truth.

The Apostle Paul says for us to avoid endless genealogies.  Why?  What is wrong with knowing where your roots come from?  Read what Albert Barnes has to say about genealogies:

This also refers to Jewish teaching. The Hebrews kept careful genealogical records, for this was necessary in order that the distinction of their tribes might be kept up. Of course, in the lapse of centuries, these tables would become very numerous, complicated, and extended--so that they might, without much exaggeration, be called "endless." The Jews attached great importance to them, and insisted on their being carefully preserved. As the Messiah, however, had now come--as the Jewish polity was to cease--as the separation between them and the heathen was no longer necessary, and the distinction of tribes was now useless, there was no propriety that these distinctions should be regarded by Christians. The whole system was, moreover, contrary to the genius of Christianity, for it served to keep up the pride of blood and of birth. 

Adam Clarke's Commentary also pointed out that the Jews found it of great importance to be able to trace their roots back to Abraham as they believed this proved they were God's chosen people.

There is nothing inherently wrong with tracing your roots.  It's fun to see who you came from and find out about the lives and accomplishments of those who came before you in your family.  I happen to have Patrick Henry as my 7th great grandfather.  It's great to read about his life and accomplishments and look to his great example as a patriot.

But how many religious groups can you think of that spend large amounts of time doing genealogical work? Many of them do this because they think that they can be baptized for those who have died that weren't part of their religion and in so doing make them part of their religion.  They think they are giving them the chance after death to be saved.  They also think they are doing good works that give them more merit with God and betters their place in the hereafter.  It becomes a great point of pride for some of them to be able to say they have been baptized xyz number of times for that many people.  What does any of this have to do with the true gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught in the Bible?

Jesus came to save sinners.   1 Tiimothy 1:15 "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."  And after death comes the judgement.  Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,"  There are no second chances. No one can be baptized for you after you are dead to bring you into the kingdom of God.  It is important that we stick to the simple truth as laid out in the Bible and not go birdwalking into fables and endless genealogies. Many have been lead astray and will next face God's judgment. Don't be one of them.