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

21If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 22Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.

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 2:14Remind 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.
• 1 Timothy 1:4Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.
• 1 Timothy 4:7Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.
• 1 Timothy 6:4Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and 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

• 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