2 Timothy 2:23
What does 2 Timothy 2:23 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 2:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 2:23 means
Paul instructs Timothy to refuse foolish and ignorant controversies, knowing they produce quarrels. Not every question deserves an answer; some are designed to provoke, not to edify. Wisdom discerns between sincere inquiry and fruitless debate. When teachers engage such disputes, the church suffers—time is wasted, tempers flare, and truth gets obscured. Timothy’s no is pastoral courage, redirecting attention to matters that build faith and obedience. This counsel guards his temperament and his timetable, freeing him to focus on the word of truth handled rightly and on people who are receptive, instead of being trapped in cycles of argument that leave everyone worse off.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the foolish and uninstructed questions be avoiding, having known that they beget strife,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strifes.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But foolish and senseless questionings avoid, knowing that they beget contentions.
Context
Coming right after the call to pursue holy virtues (v.22), this verse adds a strategic avoidance: do not be drawn into empty debates. It anticipates the description of the Lord’s servant’s demeanor in the next verse (v.24), which is the positive alternative to strife—gentleness, aptness to teach, and patience. The final two verses (vv.25–26) will add the goal and hope of correction: God may grant repentance, and captives may be freed, showing why avoiding quarrelsome engagement actually serves redemption.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 1:4
neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; so do I now.
- 1 Timothy 4:7
but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:
- Titus 3:9
but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
- 2 Timothy 2:16
But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
- 1 Timothy 6:4
he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
- 2 Timothy 2:14
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore 2 Timothy 2
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 2 Timothy 2.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Discipleship
Discipleship is an intentional journey of following Jesus, learning from Him, and growing in His likeness.
Topic
Bible Verses About Faithfulness
Faithfulness describes a person’s loyal and steadfast devotion to God, and also God’s unchanging, unfailing character.
Topic
Bible Verses About Gentleness
The Bible consistently calls believers to lives of gentleness, showing kindness and humility in all interactions.
What the Bible says about…