2 Timotius 2:14

Dealing with False Teachers

2:14 Remind people ¹  of these things and solemnly charge them ²  before the Lord ³  not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen. ⁴ 

2 Timotius 2:16-21

2:16 But avoid profane chatter, ⁵  because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, ⁶  2:17 and their message will spread its infection ⁷  like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. ⁸  2:18 They have strayed from the truth ⁹  by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people’s faith. 2:19 However, God’s solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” ¹⁰  and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord ¹¹  must turn away from evil.”

2:20 Now in a wealthy home ¹²  there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use. ¹³  2:21 So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, ¹⁴  he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

2 Timotius 2:23

2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant ¹⁵  controversies, because you know they breed infighting. ¹⁶ 

2 Timotius 3:5

3:5 They will maintain the outward appearance ¹⁷  of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. ¹⁸ 

2 Timotius 3:9

3:9 But they will not go much further, ¹⁹  for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres. ²⁰ 

2 Timotius 4:3-4

4:3 For there will be a time when people ²¹  will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, ²²  they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. ²³  4:4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths. ²⁴ 

[2:14]  ¹ tn Grk “remind of these things,” implying “them” or “people” as the object.

[2:14]  ² tn Grk “solemnly charging.” The participle διαμαρτυρόμενος (diamarturomeno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[2:14]  ³ tc ‡ Most witnesses (A D Ψ 048 1739 1881 Ï sy) have κυρίου (kuriou, “Lord”) instead of θεοῦ (qeou, “God”) here, while a few have Χριστοῦ (Cristou, “Christ”; 206 {429 1758}). θεοῦ, however, is well supported by א C F G I 614 629 630 1175 al. Internally, the Pastorals never elsewhere use the expression ἐνώπιον κυρίου (enwpion kuriou, “before the Lord”), but consistently use ἐνώπιον θεοῦ (“before God”; cf. 1 Tim 2:3; 5:4, 21; 6:13; 2 Tim 4:1). But this fact could be argued both ways: The author’s style may be in view, or scribes may have adjusted the wording to conform it to the Pastorals’ universal expression. Further, only twice in the NT (Jas 4:10 [v.l. θεοῦ]; Rev 11:4 [v.l. θεοῦ]) is the expression ἐνώπιον κυρίου found. That such an expression is not found in the corpus Paulinum seems to be sufficient impetus for scribes to change the wording here. Thus, although the external evidence is somewhat on the side of θεοῦ, the internal evidence is on the side of κυρίου. A decision is difficult, but κυρίου is the preferred reading.

[2:14]  ⁴ tn Grk “[it is] beneficial for nothing, for the ruin of those who listen.”

[2:16]  ⁵ sn Profane chatter was apparently a characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus (cf. 1 Tim 1:3-4; 4:7; 6:20).

[2:16]  ⁶ tn Grk “they [who engage in it] will progress even more in ungodliness.”

[2:17]  ⁷ tn Or “eat away.”

[2:17]  ⁸ tn Grk “of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, this last clause has been made a new sentence in the translation.

[2:18]  ⁹ tn Grk “have deviated concerning the truth.”

[2:19]  ¹⁰ sn A quotation from Num 16:5.

[2:19]  ¹¹ tn Grk “names the name of the Lord.”

[2:20]  ¹² tn Grk “a great house.”

[2:20]  ¹³ tn Grk “for dishonor,” probably referring to vessels used for refuse or excrement.

[2:21]  ¹⁴ tn Grk “from these,” alluding to the errors and deeds of the false teachers described in vv. 14-19.

[2:23]  ¹⁵ tn Or “uninstructed,” “silly.”

[2:23]  ¹⁶ tn Or “fights,” although this could suggest weapons and blows, whereas in the present context this is not the primary focus. Although “quarrel” is frequently used here (NAB, NIV, NRSV) it may be understood to refer to a relatively minor disagreement.

[3:5]  ¹⁷ tn Or “form.”

[3:5]  sn Outward appearance. Paul’s contrast with power in 3:5b shows that he regards this “form” to be outward, one of appearance rather than reality (cf. 1 Cor 4:19-20; 1 Thess 1:5).

[3:5]  ¹⁸ tn Grk “and avoid these,” with the word “people” implied.

[3:9]  ¹⁹ tn Grk “for they will not progress any more.”

[3:9]  ²⁰ tn Grk “as theirs came to be,” referring to the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres. The referent of “theirs” (Jannes and Jambres) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[4:3]  ²¹ tn Grk “they”; the referent (the people in that future time) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[4:3]  ²² tn Grk “in accord with.”

[4:3]  ²³ tn Grk “having an itching in regard to hearing,” “having itching ears.”

[4:4]  ²⁴ sn These myths were legendary tales characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus and Crete. See parallels in 1 Tim 1:4; 4:7; and Titus 1:14.