Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. New Living Translation Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. English Standard Version Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. Berean Standard Bible But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. Berean Literal Bible And refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they breed quarrels. King James Bible But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. New King James Version But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. New American Standard Bible But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. NASB 1995 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. NASB 1977 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. Legacy Standard Bible But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. Amplified Bible But have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations [useless disputes over unedifying, stupid controversies], since you know that they produce strife and give birth to quarrels. Christian Standard Bible But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. Holman Christian Standard Bible But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. American Standard Version But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes. Contemporary English Version Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments. These only lead to trouble, English Revised Version But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes. GOD'S WORD® Translation Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments. You know they cause quarrels. Good News Translation But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels. International Standard Version Do not have anything to do with foolish and stupid discussions, because you know they breed arguments. Majority Standard Bible But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. NET Bible But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. New Heart English Bible But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. Webster's Bible Translation But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they gender contentions. Weymouth New Testament But avoid foolish discussions with ignorant men, knowing--as you do--that these lead to quarrels; World English Bible But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand be avoiding the foolish and uninstructed questions, having known that they beget strife, Berean Literal Bible And refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they breed quarrels. Young's Literal Translation and the foolish and uninstructed questions be avoiding, having known that they beget strife, Smith's Literal Translation And silly and ignorant questions refuse, knowing that they produce strifes. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strifes. Catholic Public Domain Version But avoid foolish and undisciplined questions, for you know that these produce strife. New American Bible Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels. New Revised Standard Version Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleKeep away from foolish disputes which do not educate, you know they cause strife. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Abstain from the disputes of fools who are without instruction, for you know that they generate conflict. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut avoid foolish and unprofitable questions, because you know that they produce contentions: Godbey New Testament But reject foolish and undisciplinary questions, knowing that they gender strife. Haweis New Testament But foolish and uninstructive disputes avoid, knowing that they produce quarrels. Mace New Testament decline all impertinent barren disputes, since they only serve for contention. Weymouth New Testament But avoid foolish discussions with ignorant men, knowing--as you do--that these lead to quarrels; Worrell New Testament But the foolish and ignorant questionings reject, knowing that they beget strifes; Worsley New Testament but foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they produce quarrels; for the servant of the Lord ought not to wrangle, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Lord's Approved Workman…22Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. 24And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.… Cross References Proverbs 18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless. 1 Timothy 1:4 or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith. 1 Timothy 6:4-5 he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, / and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain. James 4:1 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? Proverbs 20:3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel. 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 1 Corinthians 3:19-20 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. 1 Timothy 6:20-21 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,” / which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all. Proverbs 26:4-5 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. / Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes. Romans 14:1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions. 1 Corinthians 11:16 If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God. 2 Peter 3:16 He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. Treasury of Scripture But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do engender strifes. See on ver. 2 Timothy 2:14,16 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers… 1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. Jump to Previous Arguments Avoid Avoiding Beget Breed Cause Contentions Controversies Discussions Foolish Gender Ignorant Lead Produce Quarrels Questionings Questions Refuse Senseless Speculations Strife Strifes Stupid Uncontrolled UnlearnedJump to Next Arguments Avoid Avoiding Beget Breed Cause Contentions Controversies Discussions Foolish Gender Ignorant Lead Produce Quarrels Questionings Questions Refuse Senseless Speculations Strife Strifes Stupid Uncontrolled Unlearned2 Timothy 2 1. Timothy is exhorted again to constancy and perseverance.17. Of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 19. The foundation of the Lord is sure. 22. He is taught whereof to beware, and what to follow after. But reject foolish and ignorant speculation This phrase emphasizes the importance of discernment in spiritual discussions. The term "foolish" in biblical context often refers to actions or thoughts that lack wisdom or understanding of God's will. Proverbs 12:15 states, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice," highlighting the need for humility and wisdom. "Ignorant speculation" suggests discussions that are not grounded in truth or knowledge, which can lead believers away from sound doctrine. In the early church, false teachings and heresies were prevalent, as seen in Paul's letters addressing issues in Corinth and Galatia. The call to reject such speculation is a call to uphold the truth of the Gospel, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:20, where Paul advises Timothy to guard what has been entrusted to him. for you know that it breeds quarreling Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and instruction for church leadership and personal conduct. 2. Timothy A young pastor and protégé of Paul, serving in Ephesus, who is the recipient of this letter. 3. Ephesus The city where Timothy was leading the church, known for its diverse population and various religious beliefs, which often led to disputes. 4. Foolish and Ignorant Controversies Refers to debates and arguments that are unproductive and based on a lack of understanding or wisdom. 5. Quarrels Disputes or arguments that arise from engaging in these controversies, which can lead to division within the church. Teaching Points Avoiding Unproductive ArgumentsAs believers, we should focus on edifying conversations rather than engaging in debates that lead to division. Pursuing Peace Strive for peace and unity within the church by steering clear of discussions that are rooted in ignorance and foolishness. Wisdom in Speech Exercise discernment in choosing which conversations to engage in, ensuring they are beneficial and rooted in truth. Guarding the Heart Be mindful of the motivations behind engaging in controversies, ensuring they align with godly wisdom and love. Promoting Unity Encourage a spirit of unity by focusing on common faith and shared beliefs rather than divisive issues.(23) But foolish and unlearned questions avoid.--The Greek word translated "unlearned" is better rendered ignorant. These "questions" which, as we have seen above, the false teachers, with whom Timothy was so much thrown, loved to put forward for discussion, could hardly be termed "unlearned"--much useless learning being often thrown away in these disputing of the schools--but were rather "pointless," "stupid," as well as foolish. The nature of these questions of controversy has been discussed above. Knowing that they do gender strifes.--Knowing--as thou dost--from sad and frequent experience, what conflicts, heart-burnings, estrangements, these abstract questions between rival teachers and rival sects engendered. Verse 23. - Ignorant questionings for unlearned questions, A.V.; refuse for avoid, A.V.; gender for do gender, A.V. Ignorant (ἀπαιδεύτους); only here in the New Testament, but not uncommon in the LXX., applied to persons, and in classical Greek. Unlearned is quite as good a rendering as ignorant. It is a term applied properly to ill-educated, ill-disciplined people, and thence, by an easy metonymy, to the questions such persons delight in. Questionings (ζητήσεις); see 1 Timothy 1:4, note, and Titus 3:9. Refuse (παραίτου); "have nothing to do with" (see 1 Timothy 4:7; Titus 3:10). Gender (γεννῶσι). This is the only place in the New Testament where γεννάω is used in this metaphorical sense, unless Galatians 4:24 is included. (For the sentiment, see 1 Timothy 6:4, "Whereof cometh envy, strife," etc.) Strifes (μάχας); compare μάχας νομικάς, "fightings about the Law" (Titus 3:9); and "wars and fightings" (James 4:1, 2). Compare, too, the verb λογομαχεῖν, in ver. 14. Nothing can be more emphatic than St. Paul's warnings against foolish and angry controversies about words, and yet nothing has been more neglected in the Church, in all ages.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Butδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. reject παραιτοῦ (paraitou) Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 3868: From para and the middle voice of aiteo; to beg off, i.e. Deprecate, decline, shun. foolish μωρὰς (mōras) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural Strong's 3474: Probably from the base of musterion; dull or stupid, i.e. Heedless, blockhead, absurd. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. ignorant ἀπαιδεύτους (apaideutous) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural Strong's 521: Untrained, uneducated, showing a want of training or education, ignorant. Uninstructed, i.e. stupid. speculation, ζητήσεις (zētēseis) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural Strong's 2214: A question, debate, controversy; a seeking, search. From zeteo; a searching, i.e. A dispute or its theme. for you know εἰδὼς (eidōs) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. it breeds γεννῶσιν (gennōsin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1080: From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate. quarreling. μάχας (machas) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural Strong's 3163: From machomai; a battle, i.e. controversy. Links 2 Timothy 2:23 NIV2 Timothy 2:23 NLT 2 Timothy 2:23 ESV 2 Timothy 2:23 NASB 2 Timothy 2:23 KJV 2 Timothy 2:23 BibleApps.com 2 Timothy 2:23 Biblia Paralela 2 Timothy 2:23 Chinese Bible 2 Timothy 2:23 French Bible 2 Timothy 2:23 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 2 Timothy 2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings knowing (2 Tim. 2Ti iiTi ii Tim) |
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