Lexical Summary apaideutos: Uneducated, undisciplined, ignorant Original Word: ἀπαίδευτος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance unlearned. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of paideuo; uninstructed, i.e. (figuratively) stupid -- unlearned. see GREEK a see GREEK paideuo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and a derivation of paideuó Definition uninstructed NASB Translation ignorant (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 521: ἀπαίδευτοςἀπαίδευτος, ἀπαίδευτον (παιδεύω), without instruction and discipline, uneducated, ignorant, rude (Winer's Grammar, 96 (92)): ζητήσεις, stupid questions, 2 Timothy 2:23. (In classics from (Euripides) Xenophon down; the Sept.; Josephus.) Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting In 2 Timothy 2:23 Paul counsels, “But reject foolish and ignorant speculations, because you know that they breed quarreling”. The word rendered “ignorant” (Strong’s Greek 521) designates a person who has never undergone the moral and doctrinal formation Scripture provides. Paul contrasts such unfitted speech with “the pattern of sound teaching” (2 Timothy 1:13) and the “training in righteousness” that Scripture imparts (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Contrast with Divine Discipline Throughout the New Testament the vocabulary of discipline and instruction (paideia) depicts God’s redemptive shaping of His people (Hebrews 12:5–11). The negative form appearing in 2 Timothy 2:23 marks the absence of that shaping. Where divine discipline bears “the peaceful fruit of righteousness,” an undisciplined mind yields only quarrels and division. Roots in Hebrew Wisdom Tradition Paul’s warning resonates with Proverbs, where refusal of instruction identifies the fool: “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1). Hosea laments, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). The Pastoral Epistles inherit this wisdom concern, urging sound doctrine against uninstructed speculation. Patristic Commentary Chrysostom notes that Paul forbids engagement with those “unwilling to be taught,” lest endless disputes sap the church’s strength. The Didache echoes the caution, advising believers to test teachers by their adherence to apostolic doctrine. Early catechetical schools at Alexandria and Antioch arose precisely to prevent believers from remaining spiritually untrained. Ministry Application • Discernment in Dialogue: Leaders should distinguish between teachable inquirers and the obstinately untaught whose questions mask hostility. Contemporary Reflection In an age of instant opinion platforms, untrained voices easily dominate conversation. Paul’s single use of this term becomes strikingly relevant: spiritual formation is indispensable, and dialogue bereft of it is best declined. The local church therefore serves both as a pillar of truth and as a school where believers move from ignorance to informed, Christlike witness. Forms and Transliterations απαίδευτοι απαιδεύτοις απαίδευτον απαίδευτος απαιδευτους απαιδεύτους ἀπαιδεύτους απαιδεύτω απαιδεύτων apaideutous apaideútousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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