Bible Strands
2 Timothy 2:14
Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy from prison, instructing him to pass this charge on to the wider body of believers under his care.
The words — Λογομαχεῖν (logomachein) compounds λόγος (word) with μάχη (battle), literally "word-fighting," reducing a dispute to a combat metaphor. Διαμαρτυρόμενος (diamarturomenos) carries the weight of a sworn, formal attestation, not a casual reminder.
The thread — The same prohibition appears in Titus 3:9 (foolish controversies are "pointless") and 2 Timothy 2:23 (ignorant speculation "breeds quarreling"), and the solemn-charging formula recurs in 2 Timothy 4:1.
Why it lands — The verse treats word-quarrels not as a minor irritation but as a cause of ruin in the listening community, and it places the charge before God so that the prohibition carries the force of an oath, not a suggestion.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Cross-references
- Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
- 2 Timothy 2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
- 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:
- Romans 14:1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.
- 1 Timothy 5:21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.
- 1 Timothy 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,
- Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.
- Acts 15:24 It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.
- 1 Samuel 12:21 Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.
- Jeremiah 7:8 But look, you keep trusting in deceptive words to no avail.