Menu

2 Timothy 2:23

2 Timothy 2:23 in Multiple Translations

But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.

And put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.

Avoid foolish and childish debates, for you know they only lead to fights.

And put away foolish and vnlearned questions, knowing that they ingender strife.

and the foolish and uninstructed questions be avoiding, having known that they beget strife,

But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they gender contentions.

And avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strifes.

Do not talk with anyone who foolishly wants to argue about matters that are not important. Do not talk with them, because you know that when people talk about foolish things, they begin to quarrel.

But you can’t argue about stupid things that are not important. If you argue like that, you might get into a fight.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Timothy 2:23

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

2 Timothy 2:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK τας δε μωρας και απαιδευτους ζητησεις παραιτου ειδως οτι γεννωσιν μαχας
τας ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APF
δε de G1161 then Conj
μωρας mōros G3474 foolish Adj-APF
και kai G2532 and Conj
απαιδευτους apaideutos G521 uninstructed Adj-APF
ζητησεις zētēsis G2214 controversy Noun-APF
παραιτου paraiteomai G3868 to refuse/excuse Verb-PNM-2S
ειδως eidō G1492 to perceive: see Verb-RAP-NSM
οτι hoti G3754 that/since: that Conj
γεννωσιν gennaō G1080 to beget Verb-PAI-3P
μαχας machē G3163 quarrel Noun-APF
Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — 2 Timothy 2:23

τας ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APF
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
μωρας mōros G3474 "foolish" Adj-APF
A foolish person is someone who is dull or stupid, like the fool in Matthew 7:26. It describes someone who is heedless or lacking in good sense, often in a moral or spiritual way.
Definition: μωρός, -ά, -όν [in LXX for נָבָל, etc.; frequently in Sir. ;] __1. prop., of the nerves, dull, sluggish (Hipp., Arist.). __2. Of the mind, dull, stupid, foolish: Mat.5:22 (see Field, Notes, 3 ff.) Mat.7:26 23:17, 19 (T, WH, txt., R, om.) Mat.25:2-3, 8, 1Co.3:18 4:10; of things, παράδοσις, Mrk.7:13 (T, WH, txt., R, om.) : ζητήσεις, 2Ti.2:23, Tit.3:9; τὸ μ. τ. θεοῦ, 1Co.1:25; τὰ μ. τ. κόσμου, 1Co.1:27.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 13 NT verses. KJV: fool(-ish, X -ishness) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Matthew 7:26; Titus 3:9.
και kai G2532 "and" Conj
And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.
Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.
απαιδευτους apaideutos G521 "uninstructed" Adj-APF
This word means uninstructed or ignorant, often translated as unlearned. In 2 Timothy 2:23, it describes foolish or stupid arguments that should be avoided. The word emphasizes the importance of wisdom and knowledge in the biblical worldview.
Definition: ἀ-παίδευτος, -ον (παιδεύω), [in LXX for כְּסִיל, etc., chiefly in Wis. lit. ;] uninstructed, ignorant: 2Ti.2:23.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: unlearned See also: 2 Timothy 2:23.
ζητησεις zētēsis G2214 "controversy" Noun-APF
A controversy or dispute, such as the one in 2 Timothy 2:23 about foolish arguments.
Definition: ζήτησις, -εως, ἡ (ζητέω). __1. a seeking, search. __2. a questioning, inquiry, debate: Act.15:2, 7, 2Ti.2:23, Tit.3:9; before περί, Jhn.3:26, Act.25:20, 1Ti.6:4.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: question See also: 1 Timothy 1:4; Acts 15:2; Titus 3:9.
παραιτου paraiteomai G3868 "to refuse/excuse" Verb-PNM-2S
To refuse or excuse oneself from something, like in 1 Timothy 4:7 where the apostle Paul tells Timothy to avoid foolish arguments. This word can also mean to deprecate or decline something.
Definition: παρ-αιτέομαι, -οῦμαι [in LXX for בָּקַשׁ pi., etc. ;] __1. to beg of or from another: Mrk.15:6 (Rec. ὅνπερ ᾐτοῦντο, see Field, Notes, 43). __2. to deprecate; __(a) prop., with neg., to entreat that not (Thuc., al.): Heb.12:19; __(b) to refuse, decline, avoid: o. accusative, 1Ti.4:7 5:11, 2Ti.2:23, Tit.3:10, Heb.12:25 (EV; but see Field, Notes, 234). __3. to beg off, ask to be excused, excuse (Polyb., al.) : Luk.14:18-19 (Heb.12:25, Field, l.with).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: avoid, (make) excuse, intreat, refuse, reject See also: 1 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 12:19; Hebrews 12:25.
ειδως eidō G1492 "to perceive: see" Verb-RAP-NSM
This verb means to see or perceive, used in the Bible to describe spiritual awareness or insight. In Matthew 25:13 and John 10:4, it refers to recognizing God's presence or will. The verb is often used to encourage believers to seek spiritual understanding and discernment.
Definition: οἶδα, (from same root as εἶδον, which see), [in LXX chiefly for ידע ;] pf. with present meaning (plpf. as impf.; on irregular tense-forms, see App.), to have seen or perceived, hence, to know, have knowledge of: with accusative of thing(s), Mat.25:13, Mrk.10:19, Jhn.10:4, Rom.7:7, al.; with accusative of person(s), Mat.26:72, Jhn.1:31, Act.3:16, al.; τ. θεόν, 1Th.4:5, Tit.1:16, al.; with accusative and inf., Luk.4:41, al.; before ὅτι, Mat.9:6, Luk.20:21, Jhn.3:2, Rom.2:2 11:2, al.; before quaest. indir., Mat.26:70, Jhn.9:21, Eph.1:18, al.; with inf., to know how (cl.), Mat.7:11, Luk.11:13, Php.4:12, 1Th.4:4, al.; in unique sense of respect, appreciate: 1Th.5:12 (but see also ICC on 1Th.4:4). SYN.: see: γινώσκω. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 295 NT verses. KJV: be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot See also: 1 Corinthians 1:16; Acts 26:27; 1 Peter 1:8.
οτι hoti G3754 "that/since: that" Conj
This Greek word means 'that' or 'because', used to introduce a reason or explanation. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 3:9 and Romans 8:38. It helps to show cause and effect in sentences.
Definition: ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). __I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; __1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. __2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; __3. Untranslatable, before direct discourse (ὅτι recitantis): Mat.7:23, Mrk.2:16, Luk.1:61, Jhn.1:20, Act.15:1, Heb.11:18, al. (on the pleonastic ὡς ὅτι, see: ὡς). __II. As causal particle, for that, because: Mat.5:4-12, Luk.6:20, 21, J0 1:30 5:27, Act.1:5, 1Jn.4:18, Rev.3:10, al. mult.; διὰ τοῦτο ὅτι, Jhn.8:47 10:17, al.; answering a question (διὰ τί), Rom.9:32, al.; οὐκ ὅτι . . . ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι, Jhn.6:26 12:6. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1185 NT verses. KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why See also: 1 Corinthians 1:5; 1 John 5:2; 1 Peter 1:12.
γεννωσιν gennaō G1080 "to beget" Verb-PAI-3P
To beget means to produce or create offspring, and is used to describe the father or mother of a child. It can also mean to regenerate or be born again, as seen in Matthew and Luke.
Definition: γεννάω, -ῶ (γέννα, poët. for γένος), [in LXX chiefly for ילד ;] __1. of the father, to beget: with accusative, Mat.1:1-16, Act.7:8, 29; before ἐκ, Mat.1:3, 5, 6. __2. Of the mother, to bring forth, bear: Luk.1:13, 57 23:29, Jhn.16:21; εἰς δουλείαν, Gal.4:24. Pass. __(1) to be begotten: Mat.1:20; __(2) to be born: Mat.2:1, 4 19:12 26:24, Mrk.14:21, Luk.1:35, Jhn.3:4, Act.7:20, Rom.9:11, Heb.11:23; before εἰς, Jhn.16:21 18:37, 2Pe.2:12; ἐν, Act.2:8 22:3, (ἁμαρτίαις), Jhn.9:34; ἀπό, Heb.11:12 (WH, mg., ἐγεν-); ἐκ, Jhn.1:13 3:6 8:41; with adj., τυφλὸς γ., Jhn.9:2; [Ῥωμαῖος ], Act.22:28; κατὰ σάρκα: κ. πνεῦμα: Gal.4:29. Metaphorical; μάχας, 2Ti.2:23; ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα, 1Co.4:15, (ὅν), Phm 10; in quotation, Psa.2:7 (LXX), Act.13:33, Heb.1:5 5:5; of Christians as begotten of God, born again: Jhn.1:13 3:3, 5-8, 1Jn.2:29 3:9 4:7 5:1, 4, 18 (cf. ἀνα-γεννάω); (Cremer, 146). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 64 NT verses. KJV: bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring See also: 1 Corinthians 4:15; John 9:20; Hebrews 1:5.
μαχας machē G3163 "quarrel" Noun-APF
The Greek word for a battle or quarrel, describing a fight or controversy. In 2 Corinthians 7:5 and James 4:1, it refers to a struggle or strife, often between people.
Definition: μάχη, -ης, ἡ (μάχομαι), [in LXX chiefly for רִיב ;] __1. a fight. __2. a strife, contention, quarrel: 2Co.7:5, 2Ti.2:23, Jas.4:1; pl., Tit.3:9.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: fighting, strive, striving See also: 2 Corinthians 7:5; James 4:1; Titus 3:9.

Study Notes — 2 Timothy 2:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 2 Timothy 2:14 Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
2 Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
3 1 Timothy 4:7 But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
4 2 Timothy 2:16 But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
5 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.
6 1 Timothy 6:4–5 he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, 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.

2 Timothy 2:23 Summary

This verse is telling us to avoid getting into arguments or discussions that are not based on God's truth. Instead, we should focus on promoting love, peace, and righteousness in our interactions with others, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:22. By doing so, we can avoid strife and instead build each other up in the faith, as seen in Ephesians 4:29-32. This requires humility, gentleness, and a willingness to listen to and learn from others, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:24-25.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is meant by 'foolish and ignorant speculation' in 2 Timothy 2:23?

This phrase refers to discussions or debates that are not grounded in God's truth, but rather in human opinions or speculations, which can lead to arguments and divisions, as seen in Titus 3:9 and 2 Timothy 2:14.

Why does the Bible warn against engaging in quarrelsome discussions?

The Bible warns against quarrelsome discussions because they can lead to strife and hinder the spread of the Gospel, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:24-25, where a servant of the Lord is instructed to be kind and gentle in their interactions with others.

How can I discern what discussions are 'foolish and ignorant speculation'?

To discern what discussions are 'foolish and ignorant speculation', we should test them against the truth of God's Word, as seen in Acts 17:11, and be cautious of discussions that seek to provoke arguments rather than promote understanding and edification, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:14.

What is the alternative to engaging in 'foolish and ignorant speculation'?

The alternative to engaging in 'foolish and ignorant speculation' is to pursue discussions that promote righteousness, faith, love, and peace, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:22, and to seek to understand and apply God's truth in a humble and gentle manner, as seen in Ephesians 4:29-32.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some discussions or debates that I have engaged in recently that may have been 'foolish and ignorant speculation', and how can I learn from those experiences?
  2. How can I balance the need to stand firm in my faith with the need to avoid quarrelsome discussions, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:24-25?
  3. What are some ways that I can promote 'righteousness, faith, love, and peace' in my interactions with others, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:22?
  4. How can I cultivate a spirit of humility and gentleness in my discussions with others, as seen in Ephesians 4:29-32?
  5. What are some potential consequences of engaging in 'foolish and ignorant speculation', and how can I avoid those consequences in my own life?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Timothy 2:23

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid,.... Such as have no solid wisdom in them, and are foreign from the Gospel, the wisdom of God in a mystery, and are not useful and unedifying; such ought to

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Timothy 2:23

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:23

It is a precept or caution of the same nature with those, 4:7; and . The repetition of this precept of the apostle four times in these two short Epistles, lets us know how important a thing he judged it, that ministers of the gospel should not spend their time in their discourses to their congregations, in things that tend nothing to the building up of their hearers in faith or holiness, being either old wives’ fables, like the stories in the popish legends, or the apocryphal stories of Bel and the Dragon, Tobit and his dog, and the swallows dunging in his eye, &c.; or sifting out genealogies, or vain and impertinent discourses, or idle, fruitless questions, which tend not to edifying, but to satisfy curiosity, and increase strife and ungodliness; which kind of preaching the apostle also had defamed, , as the issue of pride, and ignorance, and dotage, and here he calls such questions unlearned in the same sense, because impertinent to the end of preaching. The vanity of human nature, and their non-subjection to the will of God, appeareth much in this, that notwithstanding the unreasonableness of such preaching, and the direct opposition of it to the so often repeated precepts of the apostle, and to Titus, , and Paul’ s proposing of his own example to the contrary, ; yet for many years in the times of popery the people were fed with little besides these husks; and too many yet, either out of pride, to show their parts and reading, or ignorance of the mysteries of godliness, and the true end of preaching, or dotage about unprofitable speculations and niceties, can find little better food than these husks for poor people’ s souls.

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:23

23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. Ver. 23. But foolish and unlearned, &c.] παραιτου. Vitiligatorum naenias devita. Shift them off, set them by as seeds of sedition. Shake off vain questionists as great triflers. Such were the schoolmen, in detestation of whose vain jangling and doting about questions Luther saith, Prope est ut iurem nullum esse Theologum Scholasticum qui unum caput Evangelii intelligat; I could almost swear that there is not a schoolman that understands one chapter of the New Testament. One of their doctors said, that he had publicly expounded the Book of Job; but by that time he came to the 10th and 11th chapters, he did verily believe that Job was more vexed and tortured by his interpretations than ever he had been by his botches and ulcers. (Joh. Manl. loc. com.)

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:23

(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.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:23

Verse 23. Foolish and unlearned questions] See the notes on 1 Timothy 1:4; "1 Timothy 4:7", and "Titus 3:9".

Cambridge Bible on 2 Timothy 2:23

23. But foolish and unlearned questions] But those foolish and ignorant questionings steadily refuse; as above ‘beware their bad doctrine; their foolish questioning decline.’unlearned] The word occurs nowhere else in N.T., its meaning ‘indoctus’ and then ‘ineptus’ is seen in Proverbs 8:5, ‘Ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.’ Hence its appropriate union here with ‘foolish.’ ‘Ignorant’ has a shade of moral fault very frequently, which makes it a better rendering than ‘unlearned.’ Cf. Psalms 49:10, ‘the ignorant and foolish’ (Pr.-B. V.).questions] ‘Questionings,’ see note on 1 Timothy 1:4.avoid] ‘Decline,’ see note on 1 Timothy 4:7 where the form of the sentence is very similar to 2 Timothy 2:22.knowing] Seems to require some such addition as ‘as thou dost’ to render the original; ‘knowing that’ being a weak and colloquial phrase by itself.

Barnes' Notes on 2 Timothy 2:23

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid; - see the notes at 2 Timothy 2:16; compare the notes at 1 Timothy 1:4, 1 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 4:7.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:23

23. But—In order to attain peace, even with these, avoid foolish questions, inquiries, and discussions about subtle unrealities.

Sermons on 2 Timothy 2:23

SermonDescription
Dave Hunt What Love Is This? - Part 1 by Dave Hunt This sermon delves into the controversial topic of Calvinism and its impact on churches and individuals. The speaker shares personal experiences and reactions to addressing Calvini
William MacDonald 2 Timothy - Part 4 by William MacDonald In this sermon, Dr. Gooding discusses the importance of properly interpreting and teaching the word of God. He emphasizes the need to avoid getting caught up in meaningless argumen
C.J. Mahaney When Someone Doubts by C.J. Mahaney In this sermon, the speaker discusses the different forms of doubt that Christians may experience. He identifies seven families of doubt, including doubt from ingratitude, a faulty
Alan Martin Unity of the Spirit - by the Bond of Peace by Alan Martin In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of unity among Christians. He warns against engaging in arguments and disputes over words, as it only leads to division and ha
Roy Daniel Soul Winning - Part 3 by Roy Daniel In this video, the speaker shares a personal encounter with a missionary in Africa who recognized his leadership potential. The missionary encouraged him to leave his current missi
John Hunter 2 Timothy - Part 13 by John Hunter In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and presenting the word of God clearly. He shares his personal experience of being criticized for focusing on
Barton W. Stone To Young Preachers by Barton W. Stone Barton W. Stone advises young preachers to seek counsel from older, experienced individuals and to avoid engaging in debates that lead to strife and division, emphasizing the impor

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate