But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
Parallel translations
- WEB But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.
- KJV But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
- NKJV But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
- NASB But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
- NLT Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Timothy is to refuse foolish, ignorant controversies, knowing they breed quarrels. Avoiding pointless disputes protects the peace of the church.
Overview
Paul again warns against speculative and senseless arguments that generate only strife. The minister gains nothing by engaging them and should decline them outright. This sets up the gentle, teaching demeanor commended in the following verses.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 2 Tim 2:14Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
- Titus 3:9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
- 1 Tim 6:4–5he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,
- 1 Tim 4:7But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
- 1 Tim 1:4or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
- 2 Tim 2:16But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Original language
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