2 Timothy 2:16

2 Timothy 2:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
• New International Version (NIV)Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
• New King James Version (NKJV)But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

Context of 2 Timothy 2:16

14Remind them of these things and solemnly charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which is useless—to the ruin of those who are listening. 15Make every effort to present yourself before God as tried and true, as an unashamed worker cutting a straight path with the word of truth. But avoid godless chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness 17and their words will spread like cancer. Among them are Hymeneaus and Philetus— 18men who have missed the mark concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place. They are overturning the faith of some.

2 Timothy 2:16 word by word

Τὰς δὲ βεβήλους κενοφωνίας περιΐστασο· ἐπὶ πλεῖον γὰρ προκόψουσιν ἀσεβείας,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• shunπεριΐστημιperiistēmi · to stand aroundG4026
• profaneβέβηλοςbebēlos · profaneG952
• vain babblingsκενοφωνίαkenophōnia · empty talkG2757
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• they will increaseπροκόπτωprokoptō · to advanceG4298
• untoἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• moreπλείων, πλεῖονpleiōn pleion pleon · greaterG4119
• ungodlinessἀσέβειαasebeia · ungodlinessnessG763

Cross-references for 2 Timothy 2:16

• 2 Timothy 2:14Remind them of these things and solemnly charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which is useless—to the ruin of those who are listening.
• 1 Timothy 4:7But avoid godless myths and old wives’ tales; instead, train yourself in godliness.
• 1 Timothy 6:20O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, turning away from pointless chatter and the contradictions of so-called knowledge—
• 2 Timothy 3:13But evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
• Ezra 10:10Then Ezra the kohen stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful and taken foreign wives, increasing the guilt of Israel.
• Hosea 12:1“Ephraim surrounded Me with lies and the house of Israel with deceit.” Though Judah roams restlessly with God, yet he is faithful with holy things.
• 1 Corinthians 5:6Your boasting is no good. Don’t you know that a little hametz leavens the whole batch of dough?
• 1 Corinthians 15:33Do not be deceived! “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:7For the mystery of lawlessness is already operating; only there is one who holds back just now, until he is taken out of the way.
• Hebrews 12:15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God; and see to it that no bitter root springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.
• 2 Peter 2:2Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result the way of the truth will be maligned.
• Revelation 13:3One of his heads seemed to have been slain, but the fatal wound was healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.

Commentaries on 2 Timothy 2:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Shun profane and vain babblings - This is the character he gives of the preaching of the false teachers. Whatever was not agreeable to the doctrine of truth was, in the sight of God, empty and profane babbling; engendering nothing but ungodliness, and daily increasing in that.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16But shun profane and vain babblings, - see the notes at 1 Timothy 6:20. For they will increase unto more ungodliness - Their tendency is to alienate the soul from God, and to lead to impiety. Such kinds of disputation are not merely a waste of time, they are productive of positive mischief. A man fond of contention in religious things is seldom one who has much love for the practical duties of piety, or any very deep sense of the distinction between right…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. 1616. shun--literally, "stand above," separate from, and superior to. vain--opposed to "the truth" (2Ti 2:15). babblings--with loud voice: opposed to the temperate "word" (Tit 3:9). increase--Greek, advance"; literally, "strike forward": an image from pioneers cutting away all obstacles before an advancing army. They pretend progress; the only kind of progress they make is to a greater pitch of impiety. more ungodliness--Greek, "a greater degree of impiety."Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Timothy 2:16

• Doctrines
• Holiness
• Minister, Christian
• Preaching
• Vanity

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