But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
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.
- BSB But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
- 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 them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.
- Titus 3:9but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
- 1 Tim 6:4–5he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions,
- 1 Tim 4:7But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness.
- 1 Tim 1:4and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith —
- 2 Tim 2:16But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ Jesus 'abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel' — the risen Lord whose word and kingdom endure to the end.
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Original language
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