• 2 Timothy 2:14
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 14 Ταῦτα These (things) ὑπομίμνησκε, be you reminding under, διαμαρτυρόμενος bearing thorough witness ἐνώπιον in sight τοῦ of the θεοῦ, God, μὴ not λογομαχεῖν, to be fighting about words, ἐπ’ upon οὐδὲν nothing χρήσιμον, useful, ἐπὶ upon καταστροφῇ overturning τῶν of the (ones) ἀκουόντων. hearing.

  • 2 Timothy 2:14
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 14 Of these things be putting [them] in remembrance, Adjuring [them] before God Not to be waging word-battles,—Useful for nothing, Occasioning a subversion of them that hearken.

  • 2 Timothy 2:14
    King James Version

    • 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.

  • 2 Timothy Study Notes—Chapter 2
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 2:14

      instructing: Or “solemnly charging.” The Greek term Paul uses here can more literally be rendered “bearing thorough witness to.” (Ac 20:24; 28:23) Regarding this term, one reference work says: “It means ‘to testify, give a warning’ in the case of important matters and situations of extreme danger.”

      God: Some authoritative Greek manuscripts read “God,” while others read “the Lord.” A few translations of the Christian Greek Scriptures into Hebrew and other languages use the divine name here.​—See App. C1.

      not to fight about words: Paul admonishes the Christians in Ephesus to avoid a practice that some false teachers apparently promoted​—battling about words. The Greek term for “to fight about words” combines the noun “word” with the verb “to fight.” This expression is not found in ancient literature that predates Paul’s writings. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul used a related noun literally meaning “word battles.” (See study note on 1Ti 6:4.) The fights may have been about trivial differences in the meaning of words, but the effect could have been harmful and even disastrous.

      because it harms those listening: The corresponding Greek phrase includes the word ka·ta·stro·pheʹ (meaning “destruction” or “ruin”) and could also be rendered “because it destroys (ruins) those listening.” Paul chooses strong language to warn against fighting about words, and he tells Timothy to instruct the Ephesian Christians “before God” not to engage in these pointless battles.​—See study note on 1Ti 5:21.