2 Timothy 2:16

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. SHUN, [ periistaso (G4026)] - 'stand clear of, and superior to.' VAIN - opposed to 'of the truth' (2 Timothy 2:15). BABBLINGS - loud: opposed to the temperate "word" (Titus 3:9) BABBLINGS - loud: opposed to the temperate "word" (Titus 3:9). INCREASE, [ prokopsousin (G4298)] - 'advance;' literally, 'strike forward:' an image from pioneers cutting away obstacles befor...

16_But avoid profane and unmeaning noises _My opinion as to the import of these words has been stated in my commentary on the last chapter of the First Epistle to Timothy; and my readers will find it there. (176) _For they will grow to greater ungodliness. _That he may more effectually deter Timothy from that profane and noisy talkativeness, he states that it is a sort of labyrinth, or rather a deep whirlpool, from which they cannot go out, but into which men plunge themselves more and more....

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 hath chosen. The other speaks our duty. Those who would have the comfort of the privilege, must make conscience of the duty Christ gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, Titus 2:14. The church of Christ is like a dwelling: some furniture is of great value; some of smaller value, and put to meaner uses. Some professors of religion are like vessels of wood and earth. When the vessels of dishonour are cast out to be dest...

Verse 16. _SHUN 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....

BUT 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 and wrong. You will not usually look for him in the place of prayer, nor can you expect his aid in the conversion of sinners, nor will you find that he has any very strict views of religious obligation....

EXPOSITION 2 TIMOTHY 2:1 _Child _for _son_, A.V.; _strengthened _for _strong, _A.V. BE STRENGTHENED (ἐνδυναμοῦ)_; _more exactly (as Huther), _become strong, _or, which is the same thing, _strengthen thyself; _implying, perhaps, though gently expressed, some previous weakness, as m Hebrews 11:34, "From weakness were made strong;" where the image seems to be that of recovery from sickness. In Ephesians 6:10, however (ἐνδυναμοῦσθε ἐν Κυρίῳ), there is no evidence of preceding weakness, but only a call to use the strength they had; and it may be so here too. The strength, Timothy is reminded, by which he was to f

BUT SHUN PROFANE AND VAIN BABBLINGS,.... The ministry of false teachers is mere babbling; a voice, and nothing else, as the man said of his nightingale; a sound of words, but no solid matter in them; great swelling words of vanity, like large bubbles of water, look big, and make a great noise, but have nothing in them; contain nothing but vain, empty, idle, and trifling stuff; what is unprofitable and unedifying, yea, what is profane, contrary to the nature and perfections of God, and not agreeable to the doctrine which is according to godliness; and being palmed upon the Holy Scriptures, is a profanation of them. And all such wicked and empty prate, and babbling, is to be shunned, avoided, and discouraged, refused, and rejected; and, as much as can be, a stop should be put to it, both by ministers and hearers of the word. FOR THEY WILL INCREASE UNTO MORE UNGODLINESS meaning either that...

2 Timothy 2:15. _Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth._ This is a metaphor taken from the action of the priest at the sacrifice. The priest cut up the bullock, and then laid it in its different pieces according to order. Or, as some think, it is taken from the part of the father at the table, when he carves the meat and gives to every child its portion. Old Master Trapp says that «there are some ministers who are only fit to be Gibeonites and certainly not to be Levites, for they hardly understand the cutting of wood, much less the art of cutting up the sacrifice of God.» Brethren, it is well so to handle the word as to be able to give rebuke when rebuke is wanted, exhortation when it is needed, and comfort when consolation is required, for otherwise we do mischief. As it is said in the old fable

II. FAITH'S CONFLICT AND THE BELIEVER'S PATH CHAPTER 2 _ 1. The apostle's charge (2 Timothy 2:1)_ 2. As soldier and husbandman (2 Timothy 2:3) 3. Identification with Christ (2 Timothy 2:8) 4. Exhortation and warning (2 Timothy 2:14) 5. The great House (2 Timothy 2:19) 6. The believer's path (2 Timothy 2:23) 2 T

CHARGE TO TIMOTHY CONCERNING PRESENT ERROR. The false teaching considered in this epistle is partly present and partly future. Paul's first charge relates to the former type. For its _general character cf._ 1 Timothy 1:3 *. Such _particular doctrines_ as that of 2 Timothy 2:18 were possibly confined to individual teachers. The charge expounds: (_a_) 2 TIMOTHY 2:14. TIMOTHY'S IMMEDIATE DUTY. Mere debates are diverting and evil. Timothy must so handle the situation as to win God's approval. This involves (_a)_ framing his own positive teaching after the right pattern, and (_b)_ definite hostility to the errorists-' discussions (_cf._...