2 Timothy 2:16
New International Version
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

New Living Translation
Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.

English Standard Version
But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

Berean Standard Bible
But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,

Berean Literal Bible
But avoid worldly, empty babblings, for they will lead on to more ungodliness,

King James Bible
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

New King James Version
But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

New American Standard Bible
But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

NASB 1995
But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

NASB 1977
But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

Legacy Standard Bible
But avoid godless and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

Amplified Bible
But avoid all irreverent babble and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], for it will lead to further ungodliness,

Christian Standard Bible
Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness.

American Standard Version
But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And avoid empty words in which there is no benefit, for they will all the more add to the wickedness of those who converse in them,

Contemporary English Version
Keep away from worthless and useless talk. It only leads people farther away from God.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they grow much towards ungodliness.

English Revised Version
But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Avoid pointless discussions. People who [pay attention to these pointless discussions] will become more ungodly,

Good News Translation
Keep away from profane and foolish discussions, which only drive people farther away from God.

International Standard Version
However, avoid pointless discussions. For people will become more and more ungodly,

Literal Standard Version
and stand aloof from the profane vain talkings, for they will advance to more impiety,

Majority Standard Bible
But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,

New American Bible
Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless,

NET Bible
But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness,

New Revised Standard Version
Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety,

New Heart English Bible
But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

Webster's Bible Translation
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness.

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

World English Bible
But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,

Young's Literal Translation
and the profane vain talkings stand aloof from, for to more impiety they will advance,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Lord's Approved Workman
15Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth. 16But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness, 17and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,…

Cross References
1 Timothy 1:9
We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers,

1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called "knowledge,"

2 Timothy 2:21
So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:13
while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.


Treasury of Scripture

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness.

shun.

2 Timothy 2:14
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.

1 Timothy 4:7
But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

for.

2 Timothy 3:13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Ezra 10:10
And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.

Hosea 12:1
Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Jump to Previous
Advance Aloof Avoid Babblings Bad Chatter Empty Evil Farther Foolish Frivolous Further Godless Greater Hold Impiety Increase Indulge Irreligious Lead Part Proceed Profane Shun Stand Talk Ungodliness Vain Worldly Worse Wrong
Jump to Next
Advance Aloof Avoid Babblings Bad Chatter Empty Evil Farther Foolish Frivolous Further Godless Greater Hold Impiety Increase Indulge Irreligious Lead Part Proceed Profane Shun Stand Talk Ungodliness Vain Worldly Worse Wrong
2 Timothy 2
1. Timothy is exhorted again to constancy and perseverance.
17. Of Hymenaeus and Philetus.
19. The foundation of the Lord is sure.
22. He is taught whereof to beware, and what to follow after.














(16) But shun profane and vain babblings.--But, in strong contrast to the conduct just urged, on the workman of God, do thou avoid (or, withdraw thyself from) vain babblings. The word rendered "shun" is a strong one, and signifies literally, to make a circuit so as to avoid; or, as Alford paraphrases it, "the meaning seems to come from a number of persons falling back from an object of fear or loathing, and standing at a distance round it." The word is used in Titus 3:9. On the words "profane," "vain-babblings," see 1Timothy 6:20.

For they will increase unto more ungodliness.--Better translated, for they will advance unto . . . The tendency of these useless discussions and idle disputes is to lead men into vain and profitless speculations, which end too often--as in the case, cited below, of Hymenaeus and Philetus--in the most fatal doctrinal error. The close connection between grave fundamental errors in doctrine and a lax and purely selfish life is constantly alluded to by St. Paul.

Verse 16. - Profane for profane and vain, A.V.; proceed further in ungodliness for increase unto more ungodliness, A.V. Shun (περιι'´στασο, as in Titus 3:9); literally, step out of the way of, or stand away from - an unusual use of the word, found also in Josephus, 'Ant. Jud.,' 4. 6:12. Profane babblings (see 1 Timothy 4:7; 1 Timothy 6:20). They will proceed (προκόψουσιν); see note on προκοπή in 1 Timothy 4:15. Further in ungodliness (ἐπὶ πεῖον ἀσεβείας); surely better rendered in the A.V. to more ungodliness. It may be questioned whether "they" refers to the babblings or to the false teachers. It makes very good sense to say, "Avoid these profane babblings, for they won't stop there - they will grow into open impiety and blasphemy." But ver. 17, as Alford observes, is in favour of the "teachers" being the subject of "will proceed;" but it is not conclusive. If a full stop be put after "ungodliness," as in the A.V., ver. 17 comes in quite naturally with the further statement that "their word will eat as doth a gangrene."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

avoid
περιΐστασο (periistaso)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4026: From peri and histemi; to stand all around, i.e. to be a bystander, or to keep away from.

irreverent
βεβήλους (bebēlous)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 952: Permitted to be trodden, accessible. From the base of basis and belos; accessible, i.e. heathenish, wicked.

[and] empty chatter,
κενοφωνίας (kenophōnias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2757: Empty disputing, worthless babble. From a presumed compound of kenos and phone; empty sounding, i.e. Fruitless discussion.

[which]
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

will [only] lead
προκόψουσιν (prokopsousin)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4298: From pro and kopto; to drive forward, i.e. to advance.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

more
πλεῖον (pleion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular - Comparative
Strong's 4119: Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.

ungodliness,
ἀσεβείας (asebeias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 763: Impiety, irreverence, ungodliness, wickedness. From asebes; impiety, i.e. wickedness.


Links
2 Timothy 2:16 NIV
2 Timothy 2:16 NLT
2 Timothy 2:16 ESV
2 Timothy 2:16 NASB
2 Timothy 2:16 KJV

2 Timothy 2:16 BibleApps.com
2 Timothy 2:16 Biblia Paralela
2 Timothy 2:16 Chinese Bible
2 Timothy 2:16 French Bible
2 Timothy 2:16 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 2 Timothy 2:16 But shun empty chatter for they will (2 Tim. 2Ti iiTi ii Tim)
2 Timothy 2:15
Top of Page
Top of Page