TRV
Translation
King James Version
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Complete Jewish Bible
But keep away from godless babbling, for those who engage in it will only become more ungodly,
Berean Standard Bible
But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
American Standard Version
But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
Geneva Bible (1599)
Stay prophane, and vaine babblings: for they shall encrease vnto more vngodlinesse.
Young's Literal Translation
and the profane vain talkings stand aloof from, for to more impiety they will advance,
See also
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In the KJVVerse 29,844 of 31,102
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Commentary on 2 Timothy 2 verses 14–18
14 ¶ 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.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Having thus encouraged Timothy to suffer, he comes in the next place to direct him in his work.
I. He must make it his business to edify those who were under his charge, to put them in remembrance of those things which they did already know; for this is the work of ministers; not to tell people that which they never knew before, but to put them in mind of that which they do know, charging them that they strive not about words. Observe, Those that are disposed to strive commonly strive about matters of very small moment. Strifes of words are very destructive to the things of God. That they strive not about words to no profit. If people did but consider of what little use most of the controversies in religion are, they would not be so zealous in their strifes of words, to the subverting of the hearers, to the drawing of them away from the great things of God, and occasioning unchristian heats and animosities, by which truth is often in danger of being lost. Observe, People are very prone to strive about words, and such strifes never answer any other ends than to shake some and subvert others; they are not only useless, but they are very hurtful, and therefore ministers are to charge the people that they do not strive about words, and they are most likely to be regarded when they charge them before the Lord, that is, in his name and from his word; when they produce their warrant for what they say. - Study to show thyself approved unto God, Ti2 2:15. Observe, The care of ministers must be to approve themselves unto God, to be accepted of him, and to show that they are so approved unto God. In order thereunto, there must be constant care and industry: Study to show thyself such a one, a workman that needs not be ashamed. Ministers must be workmen; they have work to do, and they must take pains in it. Workmen that are unskilful, or unfaithful, or lazy, have need to be ashamed; but those who mind their business, and keep to their work, are workmen that need not be ashamed. And what is their work? It is rightly to divide the word of truth. Not to invent a new gospel, but rightly to divide the gospel that is committed to their trust. To speak terror to those to whom terror belongs, comfort to whom comfort; to give every one his portion in due season, Mat 24:45. Observe here, 1. The word which ministers preach is the word of truth, for the author of it is the God of truth. 2. It requires great wisdom, study, and care, to divide this word of truth rightly; Timothy must study in order to do this well.
II. He must take heed of that which would be a hindrance to him in his work, Ti2 2:16. He must take heed of error: Shun profane and vain babblings. The heretics, who boasted of their notions and their arguments, thought their performances such as might recommend them; but the apostle calls them profane and vain babblings: when once men become fond of those they will increase unto more ungodliness. The way of error is down-hill; one absurdity being granted or contended for, a thousand follow: Their word will eat as doth a canker, or gangrene; when errors or heresies come into the church, the infecting of one often proves the infecting of many, or the infecting of the same person with one error often proves the infecting of him with many errors. Upon this occasion the apostle mentions some who had lately advanced erroneous doctrines: Hymeneus and Philetus. He names these corrupt teachers, by which he sets a brand upon them, to their perpetual infamy, and warns all people against hearkening to them. They have erred concerning the truth, or concerning one of the fundamental articles of the Christian religion, which is truth. The resurrection of the dead is one of the great doctrines of Christ. Now see the subtlety of the serpent and the serpent's seed. They did not deny the resurrection (for that had been boldly and avowedly to confront the word of Christ), but they put a corrupt interpretation upon that true doctrine, saying that the resurrection was past already, that what Christ spoke concerning the resurrection was to be understood mystically and by way of allegory, that it must be meant of a spiritual resurrection only. It is true, there is a spiritual resurrection, but to infer thence that there will not be a true and real resurrection of the body at the last day is to dash one truth of Christ in pieces against another. By this they overthrew the faith of some, took them off from the belief of the resurrection of the dead; and if there be no resurrection of the dead, nor future state, no recompence of our services and sufferings in another world, we are of men the most miserable, Co1 15:19. Whatever takes away the doctrine of a future state overthrows the faith of Christians. The apostle had largely disproved this error (1 Cor. 15), and therefore does not here enter into the arguments against it. Observe, 1. The babblings Timothy was to shun were profane and vain; they were empty shadows, and led to profaneness: For they will increase unto more ungodliness. 2. Error is very productive, and on that account the more dangerous: it will eat like a gangrene. 3. When men err concerning the truth, they always endeavour to have some plausible pretence for it. Hymeneus and Philetus did not deny a resurrection, but pretended it was already past. 4. Error, especially that which affects the foundation, will overthrow the faith of some.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 14–18. Public domain.
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CyprianAD 258
Pseudo-Cyprian Exhortation to Repentance
That all sins may be forgiven him who has turned to God with his whole heart... Also in the second to Timothy: "But shun profane novelties of words, for they are of much advantage to impiety. And their word creeps as a cancer: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened, and have subverted the faith of certain ones. But the foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal, God knoweth them that are His. And, Every one who nameth the name of the Lord shall depart from all iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of clay; and some indeed for honour, and some for contempt. Therefore if any one shall amend himself from these things, he shall be a vessel sanctified for honour, and useful for the Lord, prepared for every good work. Moreover, flee youthful lusts: but follow after righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call upon the Lord from a pure heart. But avoid questions that are foolish and without learning, knowing that they beget strifes. And the servant of the Lord ought not to strive; but to be gentle, docile to all men, patient with modesty, correcting those who resist, lest at any time God may give them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth, and recover themselves from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive at his will."
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on 2 Timothy 5
"And shun profane novelties of speech." For they will not stop there. For when anything new has been introduced, it is ever producing innovations, and the error of him who has once left the safe harbor is infinite, and never stops. "For they will increase unto more ungodliness," he says, "And their word will eat as doth a canker." It is an evil not to be restrained, not curable by any medicine, it destroys the whole frame. He shows that novelty of doctrine is a disease, and worse than a disease. And here he implies that they are incorrigible, and that they erred not weakly but willfully.
OecumeniusAD 990
COMMENTARY ON 2 TIMOTHY
Avoid profane and empty chatter; for they will increase in ungodliness, and their message will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened; and they overturn the faith of some.
Avoid profane and empty chatter. If anything new in the preaching has been introduced from more recent empty chatter, it is altogether wicked and profane. As for that, either remove it or stand firmly to stop and prevent it altogether.
for they will increase in ungodliness. For if anything spurious is introduced, Paul says, it always leads to absurdity. And he receives a greater offering every day.
like gangrene. Gangrene is a infected ulcer, consuming the place, causing rotting; some say it is a creeping ulcer, or erysipelas.
He who is Hymenaeus..." Of those ones who utter profane and empty chatter.
— [THEODORET] saying that the resurrection. They called the succession of procreation of children to be cursed resurrection: and they enticed some to depart from apostolic teaching. [end of the excerpt from Theodoret PG 82.685A] —
saying that the resurrection has already happened. Rightly said above, for ungodliness will increase even more. For see how many evil things arise from saying that the resurrection has already happened. We would be deprived of the presence of Christ, what could be more grievous? There is no remedy, nor punishment. Christ, who promised these things, lies. And many similar things, such as, "If there is no resurrection, then Christ has not been raised," (1 Cor. 15:14) nor does a judge sit over the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42)
and they overturn the faith of some. Of those who are simpler and weaker.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
In 2 Timothy 2:16, the Apostle Paul issues a potent warning to Timothy, urging him to actively avoid and distance himself from "profane and vain babblings." This instruction highlights the profound danger of speech that is irreverent, empty, and devoid of spiritual substance, emphasizing its insidious capacity to spread like a disease, leading to a progressive increase in ungodliness within individuals and the community. The verse serves as a critical call for discernment and a steadfast commitment to sound doctrine in the face of corrupting influences.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. The primary device is Exhortation, as Paul issues a direct and emphatic command ("shun") to Timothy, highlighting the imperative nature of his instruction. This is reinforced by the use of Antithesis, setting up a clear contrast between the positive command to "rightly divide the word of truth" in the preceding verse and the negative command to "shun profane and vain babblings" in this verse. This juxtaposition underscores the two sides of faithful ministry: embracing truth and rejecting error. Furthermore, there is an implied Metaphor of growth or progression, as "they will increase unto more ungodliness" suggests that these harmful words act like a spreading disease or a corrosive agent that expands its destructive influence. This imagery emphasizes the insidious and escalating nature of false or idle talk, which, if left unchecked, will inevitably lead to greater spiritual and moral decay.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Timothy 2:16 profoundly connects to the biblical understanding of the power of words and the sanctity of divine truth. Theologically, it underscores that speech is not neutral; it either builds up or tears down, edifies or corrupts. God's Word is truth, life, and light, and any discourse that deviates from it, whether through irreverence or emptiness, directly opposes His nature and purpose. The warning against "ungodliness" links the content of speech directly to one's spiritual state and moral conduct, revealing that false teaching and idle talk are not merely intellectual errors but spiritual dangers that lead to a departure from God. This verse, therefore, calls believers to a profound reverence for God's revealed truth and a vigilant discernment regarding all forms of communication, recognizing that the integrity of the gospel and the purity of the church depend on it.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For contemporary believers, 2 Timothy 2:16 serves as an urgent and ever-relevant call to spiritual discernment in an age saturated with information and discourse. The "profane and vain babblings" of Paul's day find their modern counterparts in numerous forms: gossip, conspiracy theories, divisive political rhetoric, endless online debates over non-essential doctrines, and even casual conversations that demean sacred truths or promote worldly values. This verse challenges us to actively filter what we listen to, what we engage with, and what we ourselves speak. It reminds us that our words have consequences, not only for others but for our own spiritual health. To "shun" such talk means to deliberately disengage, to refuse to participate, and to redirect conversations towards what is edifying, true, and glorifying to God. This requires intentionality, courage, and a deep commitment to the truth of God's Word as the standard for all communication.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What exactly are "profane and vain babblings"?
Answer: "Profane and vain babblings" refer to speech or discussions that are both irreverent toward God's truth and ultimately empty or useless. "Profane" (Greek bébēlos) implies content that treats sacred matters lightly, is worldly, or unholy. "Vain babblings" (Greek kenophōnía) literally means "empty sounds" or "hollow talk," signifying speech that lacks substance, spiritual profit, or leads to nowhere good. This can include idle chatter, speculative theories, endless debates over trivial matters, or any discourse that distracts from sound doctrine and genuine piety. Paul gives similar warnings against "foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law" in Titus 3:9 and "profane and old wives' fables" in 1 Timothy 4:7.
Why do they lead to "more ungodliness"?
Answer: Paul warns that these types of discussions "will increase unto more ungodliness" because they are not neutral; they have an active, corrosive power. Just as a disease spreads, so too does the influence of unholy and empty talk. Engaging in or promoting such discourse gradually erodes one's reverence for God, distracts from the pursuit of righteousness, and fosters an environment where truth is devalued. This leads to a progressive slide into "ungodliness" (Greek asébeia), which signifies a lack of piety, a disregard for divine principles, and ultimately, wicked conduct. The more one dwells on or participates in such babblings, the further one drifts from a godly life, as exemplified by the false teachers mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:17-18 whose "word will eat as doth a canker."
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The imperative to shun profane and vain babblings finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of truth and the Word Incarnate. While false teachers propagate empty and irreverent speech that leads to ungodliness, Christ Himself is the "way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), whose words are "spirit and life" (John 6:63). He consistently spoke with divine authority and substance, never engaging in idle speculation or irreverent discourse, but always pointing to the Father and the kingdom of God. To "shun profane and vain babblings" is, therefore, to align oneself with the character and teaching of Christ, who perfectly models speech that is pure, edifying, and full of grace (Luke 4:22). The church, as the body of Christ, is called to reflect His truth-filled nature, actively rejecting any communication that undermines His authority or distorts His message. By guarding our speech and focusing on the sound doctrine revealed in Him, we participate in His mission to bring light and truth into a world filled with spiritual emptiness and ungodliness, thereby honoring the One who is the "faithful and true witness" (Revelation 3:14).