2 Timothy 2 23

2 Timothy 2:23 kjv

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

2 Timothy 2:23 nkjv

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

2 Timothy 2:23 niv

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

2 Timothy 2:23 esv

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

2 Timothy 2:23 nlt

Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.

2 Timothy 2 verses

2 Timothy 2 23 Meaning

Second Timothy 2:23 instructs believers, especially those in leadership like Timothy, to deliberately turn away from, or avoid, discussions that are characterized by foolishness and lack of sound biblical grounding. The apostle Paul warns that engaging in such unprofitable debates invariably leads to quarrels, conflicts, and divisions among believers, undermining peace and edification within the church. It is a call to discern between questions that build up faith and those that only sow discord.

2 Timothy 2 23 Context

This verse is part of Paul's instructions to his young protégé Timothy, guiding him on how to be a faithful and effective servant of the Lord in the Ephesian church. The surrounding verses (2 Tim 2:14-26) emphasize the importance of rightly handling the word of truth, avoiding godless chatter, and leading with gentleness. Paul contrasts fruitful ministry, characterized by sound doctrine and spiritual maturity, with destructive debates that arise from empty rhetoric and a desire for contention. Timothy, as a leader, must not only teach sound doctrine but also model healthy engagement and guard against discussions that disrupt the unity and peace of the fellowship. Historically, the church faced various forms of speculative philosophical debates and nascent gnostic tendencies that promoted complex, often nonsensical, questions detached from practical godliness.

2 Timothy 2 23 Word analysis

• But: De (δὲ). A conjunction that often introduces a contrast or a new point. Here, it signifies a shift from the previous positive exhortation to rightly handle the word (v.15) and pursue righteousness (v.22) to a warning about what to avoid.
• foolish: mōras (μωράς). This term denotes something that is stupid, absurd, or dull-witted. It refers to intellectual or spiritual ineptitude, not merely simple or uneducated. In the biblical sense, it often contrasts with divine wisdom. Such questions lack divine insight, moral purpose, or true understanding, aligning more with human folly.
• and: kai (καί). Simple conjunction connecting the two adjectives.
• unlearned: apaideutous (ἀπαιδεύτους). Means untaught, uninstructed, uneducated, or lacking discipline. It doesn't necessarily refer to a lack of formal education but rather a lack of proper spiritual training or adherence to sound doctrine. These questions arise from undisciplined minds that deviate from truth or wisdom.
• questions: zētēseis (ζητήσεις). Refers to inquiries, debates, discussions, or disputes. The term itself is neutral, but when paired with "foolish and unlearned," it specifically denotes unprofitable, contentious, or merely speculative arguments that lead nowhere beneficial for faith or godliness. It’s not a sincere pursuit of truth but an indulgence in controversy.
• avoid: periistaso (περίϊστασο). A present imperative verb, meaning "stand away from," "turn yourself about from," or "shun." It's a strong command to completely disengage and keep distance, indicating that mere engagement, even to refute, can lead to entanglement in the dispute.
• knowing: eidōs (εἰδὼς). A perfect active participle, meaning having known, or being fully aware. This indicates that Timothy should act based on prior knowledge and understanding of the inevitable outcome. It's not a mere suggestion but an action based on spiritual discernment.
• that: hoti (ὅτι). A subordinating conjunction, introducing the reason or consequence.
• they: autai (αὗται). Referring back to "foolish and unlearned questions."
• do gender: gennōsin (γεννῶσιν). Present active indicative, literally "they beget," "they produce," or "they give birth to." This vivid verb emphasizes that such questions inherently and predictably lead to their offspring—strifes. It’s a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
• strifes: machas (μάχας). Meaning quarrels, disputes, contentions, or fights. These are verbal battles or conflicts that disrupt peace and fellowship within the community. It’s the negative outcome of engaging in the aforementioned types of questions.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "foolish and unlearned questions": This phrase precisely defines the nature of the detrimental discussions. They are not genuinely theological inquiries or seekers of truth, but rather superficial, intellectually vacant, or doctrinally misguided debates. The combination "unlearned" (undisciplined/untaught) and "foolish" (absurd/unwise) paints a picture of contentions driven by immaturity or deviation from the gospel.
• "avoid, knowing that": This highlights the intentional and informed decision Timothy is to make. He isn't merely to stumble into avoiding them, but to consciously and proactively step away because he understands their destructive potential. This is a matter of spiritual wisdom and discernment, not mere aversion.
• "they do gender strifes": This emphasizes the inevitable negative outcome. These kinds of questions are not benign; they are inherently fertile ground for conflict and division. The verb "gender" vividly illustrates the causative relationship – these questions do not merely lead to strifes, they produce them as their natural offspring. This points to the contagious and escalating nature of unedifying debate.

2 Timothy 2 23 Bonus section

The emphasis on avoiding "unlearned" questions might be a veiled reference to pseudo-intellectualism or doctrines emerging from those without proper theological grounding or spiritual discipline, rather than those truly taught by God’s Spirit. This command aligns with the biblical principle of preserving unity (Eph 4:3) and maintaining truth (1 Tim 3:15). It calls for a responsible approach to Christian dialogue, prioritizing peace and the advance of the gospel over engaging in fruitless polemics. Timothy, and all Christian leaders, are called to be instruments of peace and reconciliation, gently instructing opponents, rather than fueling arguments (2 Tim 2:24-25). The danger lies not just in holding wrong doctrine, but in promoting contentions that erode the fabric of fellowship. This verse serves as a crucial filter for what conversations should be entertained in Christian circles.

2 Timothy 2 23 Commentary

Paul’s injunction in 2 Timothy 2:23 is a pastoral warning to guard the peace and purity of the church. It's not a prohibition against genuine, inquiring questions about faith or theology. Instead, it targets a specific class of questions: those characterized as "foolish" and "unlearned." These are questions that are often trivial, speculative, based on ignorance or lack of sound doctrine, or simply asked with a contentious spirit rather than a desire for truth or edification. They frequently involve vain genealogies, obscure points of law, or philosophical debates that bear no fruit in godly living. The instruction to "avoid" such questions is absolute, suggesting that engagement, even with good intentions, can inadvertently legitimate or escalate the conflict. The stated consequence, "they do gender strifes," provides the crucial motivation for avoidance. Unprofitable debates generate quarrels, dissent, and factions, hindering unity and distracting from the core mission of the Gospel. Timothy, as a wise and peaceable servant of the Lord (2 Tim 2:24), must discern and proactively distance himself from discussions that serve to divide rather than to build up. This applies to contemporary contexts where social media or personal interactions can quickly devolve into unprofitable arguments that serve no spiritual purpose.

Examples:

• Debating excessively detailed or obscure end-times scenarios with divisive certainty.
• Arguments over minor, non-essential theological differences that cause schisms rather than understanding.
• Engaging in discussions driven by a desire to "win" or prove one's intelligence rather than to edify.