2 Timothy 2:23
 2 Timothy 2:23 
New International Version (©2011)
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Do not have anything to do with foolish and stupid discussions, because you know they breed arguments.

NET Bible (©2006)
But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
Abstain from the disputes of fools who are without instruction, for you know that they generate conflict.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments. You know they cause quarrels.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
But foolish and ignorant questions avoid, knowing that they do produce strifes.

American King James Version
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do engender strifes.

American Standard Version
But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strifes.

Darby Bible Translation
But foolish and senseless questionings avoid, knowing that they beget contentions.

English Revised Version
But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.

Webster's Bible Translation
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they gender contentions.

Weymouth New Testament
But avoid foolish discussions with ignorant men, knowing--as you do--that these lead to quarrels;

World English Bible
But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.

Young's Literal Translation
and the foolish and uninstructed questions be avoiding, having known that they beget strife,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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, 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 in the worst snare, because it is the devil's; they are slaves to him. And if any long for deliverance, let them remember they never can escape, except by repentance, which is the gift of God; and we must ask it of him by earnest, persevering prayer.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 23. - Ignorant questionings for unlearned questions, A.V.; refuse for avoid, A.V.; gender for do gender, A.V. Ignorant (ἀπαιδεύτους); only here in the New Testament, but not uncommon in the LXX., applied to persons, and in classical Greek. Unlearned is quite as good a rendering as ignorant. It is a term applied properly to ill-educated, ill-disciplined people, and thence, by an easy metonymy, to the questions such persons delight in. Questionings (ζητήσεις); see 1 Timothy 1:4, note, and Titus 3:9. Refuse (παραίτου); "have nothing to do with" (see 1 Timothy 4:7; Titus 3:10). Gender (γεννῶσι). This is the only place in the New Testament where γεννάω is used in this metaphorical sense, unless Galatians 4:24 is included. (For the sentiment, see 1 Timothy 6:4, "Whereof cometh envy, strife," etc.) Strifes (μάχας); compare μάχας νομικάς, "fightings about the Law" (Titus 3:9); and "wars and fightings" (James 4:1, 2). Compare, too, the verb λογομαχεῖν, in ver. 14. Nothing can be more emphatic than St. Paul's warnings against foolish and angry controversies about words, and yet nothing has been more neglected in the Church, in all ages.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

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."


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The Lord's Approved Workman
22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do engender strifes. 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, …

1 Timothy 1:4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work--which is by faith.
1 Timothy 6:4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
2 Timothy 2:14 Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?