2 Timothy 2:14

14 Bring all this to men's remembrances, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to waste time in wrangling about mere words, a course which is altogether unprofitable and tends only to the ruin of the hearers.

2 Timothy 2:14 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 2:14

Of these things put them in remembrance
Meaning either his hearers, or those to whom he was to commit the things he had heard of the apostle, and who must expect to suffer afflictions, and endure hardships, for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel; wherefore to remind them of the above sayings might be of use and comfort to them. This clause is wanting in the Arabic version.

Charging them before the Lord;
the omniscient God, as in his sight, as they will answer it to him another day; see ( 1 Timothy 5:21 ) ( 6:13 ) ,

that they strive not about words;
it became them to strive and contend for the form of sound words, for the wholesome words or doctrines of our Lord Jesus, but not about mere words, and especially such as were

to no profit;
to no advantage to truth, nor to themselves nor others; were not to edification, to spiritual edification, to godly edifying, which is in faith:

but to the subverting of the hearers;
the confounding of their minds, misleading their judgments, and overthrowing their faith; and therefore were not only unprofitable, but hurtful and pernicious, and by all means to be avoided.

2 Timothy 2:14 In-Context

12 "If we patiently endure pain, we shall also share His Kingship; "If we disown Him, He will also disown us;

13 "And even if *our* faith fails, He remains true--He cannot prove false to Himself."

14 Bring all this to men's remembrances, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to waste time in wrangling about mere words, a course which is altogether unprofitable and tends only to the ruin of the hearers.

15 Earnestly seek to commend yourself to God as a servant who, because of his straightforward dealing with the word of truth, has no reason to feel any shame.

16 But from irreligious and frivolous talk hold aloof, for those who indulge in it will proceed from bad to worse in impiety,