Fathers

2 Timothy 2

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You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules. The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News, in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained. Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful; for he can’t deny himself.” Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear. Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness, and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus: men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.” Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work. Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient, in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.

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What the Fathers say

2 Timothy 2:23

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes." Do you see how he everywhere draws him off from questions; not that he was not able to overthrow them; for he was well able. For had he not been able he would have said, Be diligent, that thou mayest be able to refute them; as when he says, "Give attendance to reading, for by so doing thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee." (1 Tim. iv. 13, 1 Tim iv. …

Homily on 2 Timothy 6 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Do you see how the apostle everywhere steers Timothy away from disputes? This is not because Timothy was unable to refute them; he was able; but because it is utterly useless even to enter into such disputes. Nothing good comes from them except quarreling and hatred. Such disputes, he says, reject as foolish. There are other inquiries, namely, about the truths of Scripture, which should not be rejected, because they do not give birth to strife. See how those err who also quarrel in their inquiries concerning the Scriptures.

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

Reject foolish and ignorant questions, knowing that they generate arguments. A servant of the Lord must not argue but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient. foolish and ignorant. For there are also sound and learned questions, namely those concerning the sacred Scriptures. But why did he say, "Reject," and not rather, "Convince and refute it yourself"? Because a good answer brings no benefit: for they generate arguments. A servant of the Lord must not argue. For the servants of Christ ought to be peaceful. but be gentle to all. …

Commentary On 2 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Avoid foolish and unlearned questions: Foolish questions must be avoided, because their subject matter deals with foolish things, i.e., with things contrary to wisdom, namely, with matters contrary to divine wisdom. A man should not raise such questions, but resist them: every man is become a fool for knowledge (Jer 10:14). But he says, unlearned questions, because of the manner in which they are proposed, namely, by shouting. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗