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Selected Verse: 2 Timothy 2:14 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 2Ti 2:14 |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
them--those over whom thou dost preside (Tit 3:1).
charging--Greek, "testifying continually": "adjuring them."
before the Lord-- (Ti1 5:21).
that they strive not about words--rather, "strive with words": "not to have a (mere) war of words" (Ti2 2:23-24; Ti1 6:4) where the most vital matters are at stake (Ti2 2:17-18; Act 18:15). The oldest manuscripts put a stop at "charging them before the Lord" (which clause is thus connected with "put them in remembrance") and read the imperative, "Strive not thou in words," &c.
to no profit--not qualifying "words"; but Greek neuter, in apposition with "strive in words," "(a thing tending) to no profit," literally, "profitable for nothing"; the opposite of "meet for the master's use" (Ti2 2:21).
to the subverting--sure to subvert (overturn) the hearers: the opposite of "edifying" (building up) (Co2 13:10). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Of these things put them in remembrance - These great principles in regard to the kingdom of Christ. They would be as useful to others as they were for Timothy, to whom they were specially addressed.
Charging them before the Lord - In the presence of the Lord, implying that it was a very important matter; see the notes at Ti1 1:18.
That they strive not about words to no profit; - see the notes at Ti1 1:6; Ti1 6:4.
But to the subverting of the hearers - Turning them away from the simplicity of faith. It is rare, indeed, that a religious controversy does not produce this effect, and this is commonly the case, where, as often happens, the matter in dispute is of little importance. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Put them in remembrance (ὑπομίμνησκε)
oP. See on ὑπόμνησιν reminding, Ti2 1:5.
Charging (διαμαρτυρόμενος)
In Paul only Th1 4:6. Very frequent in Acts. See on Act 2:40; see on Act 20:23. The sense is rather conjuring them by their loyalty to God. Paul uses the simple μαρτύρεσθαι in a similar sense. See Gal 5:3; Th1 2:12 (note); Eph 4:17.
Before God (ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ)
See on Ti1 5:4.
Strive about words (λογομαχεῖν)
N.T.o. olxx, oClass. Comp. λογομαχίας disputes of words, Ti1 6:4, and see Co1 4:20.
To no profit (ἐπ' οὐδὲν χρήσιμον)
Lit. to nothing useful. Ἑπ' οὐδὲν, oP. He uses εἰς κενόν to no purpose. See Co2 6:1; Gal 2:2; Phi 2:16; Th1 3:5. Χρήσιμος useful, N.T.o.
To the subverting (ἐπὶ καταστροφῇ)
Ἑπὶ does not mean here to or for (purpose or object). but indicates the ground on which the unprofitableness of the wordy strife rests. Unprofitable because it works subversion of the hearers. Καταστροφή subversion, transliterated into catastrophe, only here and Pe2 2:6. In lxx of the destruction or overthrow of men or cities. Καταστρέφειν to overturn, Mat 21:12; Mar 11:15; Act 15:16, cit. Paul uses καθαίρεσις pulling down, Co2 10:4, Co2 10:8; Co2 13:10 |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Remind them - Who are under thy charge. O how many unnecessary things are thus unprofitably, nay hurtfully, contended for. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
That they strive not about words - Words, not things, have been a most fruitful source of contention in the Christian world; and among religious people, the principal cause of animosity has arisen from the different manner of apprehending the same term, while, in essence, both meant the same thing. All preachers and divines should be very careful, both in speaking and writing, to explain the terms they use, and never employ them in any sense but that in which they have explained them.
The subverting of the hearers - This is the general tendency of all polemical divinity and controversial preaching, when angry passions are called in to support the doctrines of the Gospel. |
10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.
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.
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.