2 Timothy 2:23

KJV

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} foolish {G3474} and {G2532} unlearned {G521} questions {G2214} avoid {G3868}, knowing {G1492} that {G3754} they do gender {G1080} strifes {G3163}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But stay away from stupid and ignorant controversies — you know that they lead to fights,

Berean Standard Bible

But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.

American Standard Version

But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul, in his final instructions to Timothy, charges him to actively avoid engaging in "foolish and unlearned questions," understanding that such discussions inevitably lead to quarrels and division. This verse serves as a crucial pastoral directive, emphasizing the importance of discerning what topics are profitable for spiritual growth and church unity versus those that merely stir up contention and distract from the core mission of the gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [2 Timothy 2:23](/2_timothy/2-23 "2 Timothy 2:23 - Avoiding Foolish and Unlearned Questions") is situated within a broader section of Paul's second letter to Timothy, where the apostle provides a comprehensive charge for faithful ministry. Immediately preceding this verse, Paul exhorts Timothy to "flee youthful lusts" and to "follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" ([2 Timothy 2:22](/2_timothy/2-22 "2 Timothy 2:22 - Fleeing Youthful Lusts and Pursuing Righteousness")). The instruction to avoid "foolish and unlearned questions" directly follows this call to peace and purity of heart, indicating that such avoidance is a practical means of pursuing peace within the community. The verse also echoes Paul's earlier emphasis in [2 Timothy 2:15](/2_timothy/2-15 "2 Timothy 2:15 - Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth") on "rightly dividing the word of truth," implying that profitable discourse is rooted in sound doctrine, not speculative debates. The entire chapter of [2 Timothy 2](/2_timothy/2 "2 Timothy 2 - A Call to Endure") is a manual for a faithful minister, emphasizing endurance, sound teaching, and wise conduct in the face of opposition and false teaching.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Timothy was serving as a leader in the church at Ephesus, a prominent city known for its diverse religious and philosophical currents. Early Christian communities often grappled with internal disputes stemming from various sources: Jewish legalism, Gnostic tendencies, philosophical speculation, and personal rivalries. Paul's letters, particularly the Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus), frequently address the dangers of false teachers and divisive doctrines. In this environment, "questions" (Greek: _zētēseis_) could refer not merely to innocent inquiries but to contentious debates, speculative genealogies, or endless arguments that were common in both Jewish and Hellenistic intellectual circles. These discussions, often driven by pride or a desire for intellectual superiority rather than genuine spiritual edification, threatened to undermine the unity and mission of the nascent church. Paul’s instruction was thus a practical guide for maintaining doctrinal purity and communal harmony in a challenging cultural landscape.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within [2 Timothy](/2_timothy "2 Timothy - Paul's Final Charge to Timothy") and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **discerning wisdom** in ministry and Christian living, urging believers to differentiate between discussions that build up and those that tear down. Secondly, it underscores the paramount importance of **church unity and peace**, viewing divisive arguments as a direct threat to the body of Christ, a theme also emphasized in [Ephesians 4:3](/ephesians/4-3 "Ephesians 4:3 - Endeavoring to Keep the Unity of the Spirit"). Thirdly, it implicitly promotes a **focus on core gospel truths** and practical godliness, redirecting energy away from trivial or speculative matters that distract from the transforming power of the Word. Finally, for a pastoral leader like Timothy, it emphasizes **pastoral prudence and spiritual maturity**, demonstrating that a wise leader knows when to engage and when to disengage from discussions for the sake of the flock's well-being and the integrity of the gospel message, as seen in Paul's charge to "preach the word" in [2 Timothy 4:2](/2_timothy/4-2 "2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the Word").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Foolish (Greek, _mōrós'_):** This term describes something as dull, stupid, absurd, or heedless. It conveys a sense of intellectual or spiritual emptiness, indicating questions that are devoid of genuine insight, wisdom, or a productive end. Such questions are not merely ignorant but are often senselessly provocative or utterly unprofitable for spiritual edification.
* **Unlearned (Greek, _apaídeutos'_):** This word literally means "uninstructed" or "uneducated." It refers to questions that lack proper grounding in sound doctrine, spiritual discipline, or a genuine pursuit of truth. These are not questions born of sincere inquiry but often stem from ignorance, lack of spiritual maturity, or a contentious spirit, leading to undisciplined and unedifying discourse.
* **Gender (Greek, _gennáō'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to procreate" or "to beget," this verb vividly describes the generative power of these foolish and unlearned questions. It implies that such discussions do not merely lead to strife but actively produce, bring forth, or give birth to quarrels, highlighting the inevitable and natural consequence of engaging in them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But foolish and unlearned questions avoid,"**: Paul issues a direct command, an imperative, to Timothy. The conjunction "But" (G1161, _dé_) introduces a contrast or a shift in focus from the preceding positive commands (pursuing righteousness, peace) to a negative injunction. "Foolish" (G3474, _mōrós_) and "unlearned" (G521, _apaídeutos_) describe the nature of the "questions" (G2214, _zḗtēsis_), which are not sincere inquiries but contentious, unproductive debates. The verb "avoid" (G3868, _paraitéomai_) is strong, meaning to beg off, deprecate, decline, or shun, indicating an active and deliberate disengagement from such discussions.
* **"knowing that they do gender strifes."**: This clause provides the rationale for the command. The participle "knowing" (G1492, _eídō_) implies a clear understanding or awareness of the inevitable outcome. The phrase "do gender strifes" uses the verb "gender" (G1080, _gennáō_) to metaphorically describe the procreative power of these questions. They "beget" or "produce" "strifes" (G3163, _máchē_), which refers to battles, fights, or controversies. This highlights the destructive and divisive nature of engaging in such unprofitable discourse, which inevitably leads to conflict and disharmony within the community.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several effective **literary devices** in this concise instruction. The primary device is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "do gender strifes." The verb "gender" (to beget or give birth) is used metaphorically to illustrate how foolish and unlearned questions actively *produce* or *spawn* quarrels, much like a parent gives birth to offspring. This vivid imagery emphasizes the direct causal link and the inevitable, destructive outcome of engaging in such discussions. Furthermore, the verse contains an **Imperative** ("avoid"), which is a direct command, underscoring the urgency and non-negotiable nature of Paul's counsel. There is also an implied **Contrast** between the positive pursuits mentioned in the preceding verse (righteousness, faith, peace) and the negative consequences of engaging in "foolish and unlearned questions." This contrast highlights the wisdom of choosing edifying interactions over divisive ones.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly impacts our understanding of Christian discourse and community life. Theologically, it asserts that not all questions or debates are equally valuable or spiritually beneficial. God is a God of peace and order, not confusion and strife ([1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is Not the Author of Confusion")). Therefore, engaging in discussions that inherently lead to division is contrary to His nature and His will for His church. The emphasis on avoiding "foolish and unlearned questions" underscores the importance of spiritual discernment, prioritizing truth and unity over intellectual curiosity or contentious argumentation. It calls believers to cultivate a spirit of peace and humility, recognizing that some debates, even if intellectually stimulating, can be spiritually destructive. The church's mission is to proclaim the gospel and build up believers in love, not to be sidetracked by endless, unprofitable controversies.

* [Titus 3:9](/titus/3-9 "Titus 3:9 - Avoid Foolish Disputes")
* [1 Timothy 1:4](/1_timothy/1-4 "1 Timothy 1:4 - No Fables or Genealogies")
* [Romans 14:1](/romans/14-1 "Romans 14:1 - Do Not Quarrel Over Disputable Matters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In an age saturated with information and platforms for instant communication, Paul's warning in [2 Timothy 2:23](/2_timothy/2-23 "2 Timothy 2:23 - Avoiding Foolish and Unlearned Questions") is more relevant than ever. The proliferation of social media and online forums often encourages superficial, contentious, and ultimately unproductive debates. Believers are challenged to exercise profound discretion in what discussions they engage in, both online and offline. This means discerning whether a conversation is genuinely aimed at understanding, edification, and reconciliation, or if it merely caters to a contentious spirit, fuels division, or distracts from the weightier matters of faith and practice. True spiritual maturity involves not just knowing what to say, but also knowing what to *avoid* saying, and what conversations to *avoid* altogether. Our interactions should reflect the peace and wisdom of Christ, building up the body and glorifying God, rather than sowing discord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What criteria do I use to determine whether a question or discussion is "foolish and unlearned" or spiritually profitable?**
* **How might I be inadvertently contributing to "strifes" by engaging in unproductive debates, especially in online settings?**
* **What practical steps can I take to "avoid" such questions and redirect my energy towards discussions that foster peace and edification?**
* **How does my engagement (or disengagement) in certain conversations reflect my commitment to church unity and the pursuit of peace?**

### FAQ
**What constitutes "foolish and unlearned questions" in a modern context?**

Answer: In a modern context, "foolish and unlearned questions" (Greek: _mōrós kai apaídeutos zētēseis_) refer to discussions that are spiritually unproductive, lack sound biblical grounding, are driven by mere speculation or a desire for contention, and ultimately lead to division rather than edification. This can include endless debates over non-essential doctrines, conspiracy theories, personal attacks disguised as theological arguments, or discussions that aim to prove intellectual superiority rather than build up the body of Christ. The key is their outcome: if they "gender strifes" or produce quarrels, they fall into this category. Paul's instruction is not against genuine inquiry or robust theological discussion, but against those that are inherently divisive and unfruitful, as he also warns against "disputes about words" in [1 Timothy 6:4](/1_timothy/6-4 "1 Timothy 6:4 - Disputes About Words").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [2 Timothy 2:23](/2_timothy/2-23 "2 Timothy 2:23 - Avoiding Foolish and Unlearned Questions") is a practical instruction for Christian conduct, its deepest fulfillment is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself consistently avoided engaging in "foolish and unlearned questions" that sought to trap Him or stir up strife. When confronted by those seeking to test Him with contentious questions, such as the Pharisees questioning His authority or the Sadducees challenging the resurrection, Jesus responded with divine wisdom, often turning the question back on them or revealing their true motives, thereby exposing the foolishness of their inquiries without descending into unprofitable debate ([Matthew 22:15-46](/matthew/22-15-46 "Matthew 22:15-46 - Jesus Answers His Opponents")). His teaching was always purposeful, aimed at revealing truth, bringing healing, and leading to salvation, never at stirring up discord for its own sake. Christ is our ultimate example of speaking truth in love and discerning when to engage and when to remain silent, embodying the peace He came to bring ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Peace")). His mission was to reconcile humanity to God and to each other, dismantling the very "strifes" that foolish questions generate, ultimately through His sacrifice on the cross, which makes true peace possible ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Therefore, avoiding such questions is not merely a rule for good conduct, but an imitation of Christ, whose life and ministry were characterized by purposeful truth and profound peace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Timothy 2:14

¶ 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.

Titus 3:9

¶ But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

2 Timothy 2:16

But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

1 Timothy 6:4

He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

1 Timothy 6:5

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

1 Timothy 1:4

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: [so do].

1 Timothy 4:7

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness.