2 Timothy 2:23

2 Timothy 2:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
• New International Version (NIV)Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

Context of 2 Timothy 2:23

21It is like that with people who serve God as their Master. People who keep themselves clean from those bad things will be like valuable dishes. Their master can use them for a special purpose. They will be ready for him to use them for every kind of good work. 22Be careful not to do the kind of bad things that young people often want to do. Instead, always try to do what is right and fair. Continue to trust God. Love other people and live in peace with them. Join with people who are clean inside and who pray to the Lord. Do not join with people who want to argue about silly things that do not mean anything. You know that silly things like that only cause people to quarrel. 24As the Lord's servant, you must not quarrel. Instead, you must be kind to everyone. You must be able to teach them well. And you must be patient when people cause you to have trouble. 25When people speak against God's true message, teach them carefully. Help them to understand what is right. Maybe God will change how they think so that they believe the true message.

2 Timothy 2:23 word by word

τὰς δὲ μωρὰς καὶ ἀπαιδεύτους ζητήσεις παραιτοῦ εἰδὼς ὅτι γεννῶσιν μάχας·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• foolishμωρόςmōros · foolishG3474
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• unlearnedἀπαίδευτοςapaideutos · uninstructedG521
• questionsζήτησιςzētēsis · controversyG2214
• avoidπαραιτέομαιparaiteomai · to refuse/excuseG3868
• knowingεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• they do genderγεννάωgennaō · to begetG1080
• strifesμάχηmachē · quarrelG3163

Cross-references for 2 Timothy 2:23

• 2 Timothy 2:14Continue to tell these things to God's people there, so that they remember them. Use God's authority and warn them not to quarrel about words. To quarrel about little things does not help anyone. Instead, it destroys those people who listen.
• 1 Timothy 1:4Tell people not to listen to false stories. They should not always be studying long lists of their families' names from years ago. Those things do not help people. They only cause them to argue. Instead, they need to understand God's purpose for us. To do that, people must trust him.
• 1 Timothy 4:7But you must refuse to listen to false stories. Stories like that are not from God and only silly people believe them. Instead, learn to live well in a way that makes God happy.
• 1 Timothy 6:4People like that think that they are very clever. But they do not really understand anything. They like to argue about things which are not important. They like to quarrel about words. As a result, people become jealous of one another, and they become angry with each other. They insult other people and they think bad things about them.

Commentaries on 2 Timothy 2:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Foolish and unlearned questions - See the notes on 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:7; (note), and Titus 3:9; (note).Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23But 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. The word “unlearned,” here, means “trifling; that which does not tend to edification; stupid.” The Greeks and the Hebrews were greatly given to controversies of various kinds, and many of the questions discussed pertained to points which could not be settled, or which, if settled, were of no importance. Such has…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22-26Verses 22-26 The more we follow that which is good, the faster and the further we shall flee from that which is evil. The keeping up the communion of saints, will take us from fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness. See how often the apostle cautions against disputes in religion; which surely shows that religion consists more in believing and practising what God requires, than in subtle disputes. Those are unapt to teach, who are apt to strive, and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-26Timothy must focus on Paul's teaching and avoid the teachings and behavior of false teachers 2:8–13. The false teachings were probably similar to those in 1 Timothy 6:20–21.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. (Tit 3:9.) unlearned--Greek, "undisciplined"; not tending to promote the discipline of faith and morals (Pr 5:23). "Uninstructive"; in contrast with "instructing" (2Ti 2:25), and "wise unto salvation" (2Ti 3:15). avoid--"decline."Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Timothy 2:23

• Commandments
• Minister, Christian
• Righteous
• Strife
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Acknowledge
• Approved
• Commit
• Deny
• Eat
• Endure
• Entangle
• Eternal
• Faithful
• Foolish

Commentaries on 2 Timothy 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings