New King James Version
2 Timothy 2:23
23But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
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 Living Translation (NLT)Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
Context of 2 Timothy 2:23
21Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
Read all of 2 Timothy 22 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 2:14Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
- 1 Timothy 1:4nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
- 1 Timothy 4:7But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
- 1 Timothy 6:4he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
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
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries