English Standard Version
2 Timothy 2:14
14Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
2 Timothy 2:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.
Context of 2 Timothy 2:14
12if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
Read all of 2 Timothy 22 Timothy 2:14 word by word
Ταῦτα ὑπομίμνῃσκε διαμαρτυρόμενος ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ μὴ λογομαχεῖν ἐπ᾽ οὐδὲν χρήσιμον ἐπὶ καταστροφῇ τῶν ἀκουόντων.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Of these thingsοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- putὑπομιμνήσκωhupomimnēskō · to remindG5279
- chargingδιαμαρτύρομαιdiamarturomai · to testify solemnlyG1263
- beforeἐνώπιονenōpion · beforeG1799
- the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
- that they striveλογομαχέωlogomacheō · to quarrelG3054
- notμήmē · notG3361
- toεἰςeis · towardG1519
- noοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
- profitχρήσιμοςchrēsimos · profitableG5539
- toἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- the subvertingκαταστροφήkatastrophē · ruinG2692
- of the hearersἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
Cross-references for 2 Timothy 2:14
- 2 Timothy 1:6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
- 2 Peter 1:13I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder,
- 2 Timothy 4:1I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
- Ephesians 4:17Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
- 1 Timothy 5:21In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
- 1 Timothy 6:13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,
- 2 Timothy 2:16But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
- Romans 14:1As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
- 1 Timothy 1:4nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
- 1 Timothy 6:4he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
- 1 Samuel 12:21And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.
- Jeremiah 2:8The priests did not say, 'Where is the Lord?' Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.
- Jeremiah 7:8"Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail.
- Jeremiah 16:19O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth and say: "Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit.
Commentaries on 2 Timothy 2:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14That they strive not about words - Words, not things, have been a most fruitful source of contention in the Christian world; and among religious people, the principal cause of animosity has arisen from the different manner of apprehending the same term, while, in essence, both meant the same thing. All preachers and divines should be very careful, both in speaking and writing, to explain the terms they use, and never employ them in any sense but that in…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14Of these things put them in remembrance - These great principles in regard to the kingdom of Christ. They would be as useful to others as they were for Timothy, to whom they were specially addressed. Charging them before the Lord - In the presence of the Lord, implying that it was a very important matter; see the notes at 1 Timothy 1:18. That they strive not about words to no profit; - see the notes at 1 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 6:4. But to the subverting…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-21Verses 14-21 Those disposed to strive, commonly strive about matters of small moment. But strifes of words destroy the things of God. The apostle mentions some who erred. They did not deny the resurrection, but they corrupted that true doctrine. Yet nothing can be so foolish or erroneous, but it will overturn the temporary faith of some professors. This foundation has two writings on it. One speaks our comfort. None can overthrow the faith of any whom God…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. 1414. them--those over whom thou dost preside (Tit 3:1). charging--Greek, "testifying continually": "adjuring them." before the Lord--(1Ti 5:21). that they strive not about words--rather, "strive with words": "not to have a (mere) war of words" (2Ti 2:23, 24; 1Ti 6:4) where the most vital matters are at stake (2Ti 2:17, 18; Ac 18:15). The oldest manuscripts put a stop at "charging them before the Lord" (which clause is thus connected with "put them in…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Timothy 2:14
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries