2 Timothy 2 · Verse 23

2 Timothy 2:23

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
2 Timothy 2:23, King James Version

2 Timothy 2:23 in other translations

BSBBut reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
WEBBut refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.
ASVBut foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.
YLTand the foolish and uninstructed questions be avoiding, having known that they beget strife,
DARBYBut foolish and senseless questionings avoid, knowing that they beget contentions.
BBEAnd put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.
WebsterBut foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they gender contentions.

What does 2 Timothy 2:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
23. (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."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 23. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid. 1Timm 1:4; 1Timm 1:6; 1Timm 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 been the character of no small part of the disputes which have agitated the world. Paul correctly says that the only effect of such disputes is to engender harsh contention. Points of real importance can be discussed with no injury to the temper; but men cannot safely dispute about trifles.

(g) "questions" 2Ti 2:16

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 Foolish and unlearned questions - See the notes on 1Tim 1:4; 1Tim 4:7 (note), and Tit 3:9 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:22-26

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…

Read the full comment on 2 Timothy 2:22-26 →

2 Timothy 2:23 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τὰςtas<the>G3588
δὲdeAndG1161
μωρὰςmōrasfoolishG3474
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀπαιδεύτουςapaideutousignorantG521
ζητήσειςzētēseisspeculationsG2214
παραιτοῦparaitoudo refuseG3868
εἰδὼςeidōsknowing
ὅτιhotithatG3754
γεννῶσινgennōsinthey breedG1080
μάχας·machasquarrels;G3163

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Timothy 2:23

  • 2 Timothy 2:14

    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.

  • Titus 3:9

    But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

  • 1 Timothy 4:7

    But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

  • 1 Timothy 6:4-5

    He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

  • 1 Timothy 1:4

    Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

  • 2 Timothy 2:16

    But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
14,16; 1Ti 1:4; 4:7; 6:4,5; Tit 3:9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Timothy 2:22

    Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

  • 2 Timothy 2:23

    But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

  • 2 Timothy 2:24

    And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

Read all of 2 Timothy 2

2 Timothy 2:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Empero las cuestiones necias y sin sabiduría desecha, sabiendo que engendran contiendas.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		mais évite les questions folles et insensées, sachant qu’elles engendrent des contestations.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Aber die törichten und ungereimten Streitfragen weise ab, da du weißt, daß sie Streitigkeiten erzeugen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Stultas autem et sine disciplina quæstiones devita: sciens quia generant lites.