2 Timothy 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 Timothy 2:16

2:16 But avoid profane chatter, ⁵  because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, ⁶ 

2 Timothy 2:1

Serving Faithfully Despite Hardship

2:1 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:4

1:4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, ⁷  so that I may be filled with joy.

2 Timothy 4:7

4:7 I have competed well; ⁸  I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!

2 Timothy 1:4-5

1:4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, ⁹  so that I may be filled with joy. 1:5 I recall ¹⁰  your sincere faith ¹¹  that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure ¹²  is in you.

Titus 3:9

3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, ¹³  quarrels, and fights about the law, ¹⁴  because they are useless and empty.

[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.”

[1:4]  ⁷ tn Grk “longing to see you, remembering your tears” (as a continuation of the preceding clause). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

[4:7]  ⁸ sn The expression I have competed well (Grk “I have competed the good competition”) uses words that may refer to a race or to a boxing or wrestling match: “run the good race” or “fight the good fight.” The similar phrase in 1 Tim 1:18 uses a military picture and is more literally “war the good warfare.”

[1:4]  ⁹ tn Grk “longing to see you, remembering your tears” (as a continuation of the preceding clause). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

[1:5]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “recalling” (as a continuation of the preceding clause). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

[1:5]  ¹¹ tn Grk “the sincere faith in you.”

[1:5]  ¹² tn Or “convinced.”

[3:9]  ¹³ tn Cf. 1 Tim 1:4.

[3:9]  ¹⁴ sn Fights about the law were characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus as well as in Crete (cf. 1 Tim 1:3-7; Titus 1:10, 14).