2 Timothy 2:23

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. UNLEARNED, [ apaideutous (G521)] - 'undisciplined,' 'ignorant' 'senseless:' not tending to the discipline of faith and morals (Proverbs 5:23): in contrast with "instructing" (2 Timothy 2:25), and "wise unto salvation" (2 Timothy 3:15). (See Titus 3:9)....

23_But avoid foolish and uninstructive questions _He calls them _foolish, _because they are _uninstructive; _that is, they contribute nothing to godliness, whatever show of acuteness they may hold out. When we are wise in a useful manner, then alone are we truly wise. This ought to be carefully observed; for we see what foolish admiration the world entertains for silly trifles, and how eagerly it runs after them. That an ambition to please may not urge us to seek the favor of men by such display, let us always remember this remarkable testimony of Paul, that questions, which are held in high estimation, are nevertheless foolish, because they are unprofitable. _Knowing that they beget quarrels _Next, he expresses the evil which they commonly produce. And here he says nothing else than what we experience every day, that they give occasion for jangling and debates. And yet the greater part...

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 are fierce and froward. Teaching, not persecution, is the Scripture method of dealing with those in error. The same God who gives the discovery of the truth, by his grace brings us to acknowledge it, otherwise our hearts would continue to rebel against it. There is no "peradventure," in respect of God's pardoning those who do repent; but we cannot tell that he will give repentance to those who oppose his will. Sinners are taken in a snare, and...

Verse 23. _FOOLISH AND UNLEARNED QUESTIONS_] See the notes on 1 Timothy 1:4; _"_1 Timothy 4:7_"_, and _"_Titus 3:9_"_....

BUT FOOLISH AND UNLEARNED QUESTIONS AVOID; - see the notes at 2 Timothy 2:16; compare the notes at 1Ti 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 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 disc

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 FOOLISH AND UNLEARNED QUESTIONS AVOID,.... Such as have no solid wisdom in them, and are foreign from the Gospel, the wisdom of God in a mystery, and are not useful and unedifying; such ought to be avoided, publicly and privately; they should not be started in the public ministry, nor attended to in private conversation; as being unworthy of the notice of a minister of the Gospel wise and learned, and useless to the church, and to his hearers. KNOWING THAT THEY DO GENDER STRIFE; about words, and contentions, which break the peace of churches, and hinder the profit of souls, and the progress of the Gospel....

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._...