The Meaning of 2 Timothy 2:16 Explained

2 Timothy 2:16

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

YLT: and the profane vain talkings stand aloof from, for to more impiety they will advance,

Darby: But profane, vain babblings shun, for they will advance to greater impiety,

ASV: But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  shun  profane  [and] vain babblings:  for  they will increase  unto  more  ungodliness. 

What does 2 Timothy 2:16 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Timothy 2:10-18 - "approved Unto God"
The elect, 2 Timothy 2:10-13 : The Apostle sketches the experiences of the elect soul. It must endure, suffer, and die with Christ, that out of its surrender may come the truest, richest life, John 12:25. There is no path to lasting success save that of the cross and grave of Christ. It has been allotted to the redeemed in the divine program; each must tread it separately and with resolute purpose. But there is no doubt as to the sequel of a true life. The world of men may count it a failure, but God pledges Himself that as the pendulum swings here in the dark, it shall swing equally in yonder world of light. Three things are impossible with God-to die, to lie, and to fail the soul that trusts Him. Even when we cannot muster faith enough, His word of promise cannot be frustrated in the case of those whose faith is weak and trembling as the smoking flax.
The workman, 2 Timothy 2:14-18 : The one anxiety with us all should be to stand approved before God. As the r.v. margin suggests, we must hold a straight course in the word of truth. Our testimony should resemble an undeviating furrow. Let us construct in our life something which will be a permanent addition to the well-being of the world, so that at the last the Master may say that He is satisfied. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for 2 Timothy 2:16

Shun [περιιστασο]
See note on Titus 3:9. [source]
Babblings [κενοπωνιας]
See note on 1 Timothy 6:20. Will proceed (προκοπσουσιν — prokopsousin). Future active of προκοπτω — prokoptō “will cut forward.” See note on Galatians 1:14; Romans 13:12. Further in ungodliness “To more of ungodliness.” See note on Romans 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:2. [source]
Will proceed [προκοπσουσιν]
Future active of προκοπτω — prokoptō “will cut forward.” See note on Galatians 1:14; Romans 13:12. [source]
Further in ungodliness [επι πλειον ασεβειας]
“To more of ungodliness.” See note on Romans 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:2. [source]
Shun [περιίστασο]
PoIn Pastorals, here and Titus 3:9. Originally, to place round; to stand round. In the middle voice, to turn one's self about, as for the purpose of avoiding something: hence, avoid, shun. Often in Class., but in this sense only in later Greek. [source]
Profane and vain babblings [βεβήλους κενοφωνίας]
For profane, see on 1 Timothy 1:9. Vain is superfluous, being implied in babblings. For babblings, see on 1 Timothy 6:20. Babble is a word of early origin, an imitative word, formed on the efforts of a young child to speak, and having its counterparts in many languages. It appears very early in English, as in Piers Plowman:“And so I bablede on my bedes.”Vis. 2487.Bacon:“Who will open himselfe to a blab or a babler?”Ess. vi Shakespeare:“Leave thy vain bibble babble.”Twelfth N. iv. 2. [source]
They will increase [προκόψουσιν]
See on Romans 13:12, and see on Galatians 1:14. [source]
Ungodliness [ἀσεβείας]
The opposite of εὐσέβεια godlinessfor which see on 1 Timothy 2:2. In Pastorals, Titus 2:12. In Paul, Romans 1:18; Romans 11:26, cit. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Timothy 2:16

Romans 13:12 Is far spent [προεκοπσεν]
First aorist active indicative of προκοπτω — prokoptō to cut forward, to advance, old word for making progress. See note on Luke 2:52; note on Galatians 1:14; note on 2 Timothy 2:16; and note on 2 Timothy 3:9. [source]
Romans 1:18 Ungodliness [ασεβειαν]
Irreligion, want of reverence toward God, old word (cf. 2 Timothy 2:16). Unrighteousness (αδικιαν — adikian). Lack (α — a privative and δικη — dikē) of right conduct toward men, injustice (Romans 9:14; Luke 18:6). This follows naturally from irreverence. The basis of ethical conduct rests on the nature of God and our attitude toward him, otherwise the law of the jungle (cf. Nietzsche, “might makes right”). Hold down the truth Truth (αλητεια αλητης — alētheiaα — alēthēs from λητω — a privative and λαντανω — lēthō or κατεχω — lanthanō to conceal) is out in the open, but wicked men, so to speak, put it in a box and sit on the lid and “hold it down in unrighteousness.” Their evil deeds conceal the open truth of God from men. Cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:6. for this use of katechō to hinder. [source]
Galatians 1:14 I advanced [προεκοπτον]
Imperfect active again of προκοπτω — prokoptō old verb, to cut forward (as in a forest), to blaze a way, to go ahead. In N.T. only here, Romans 13:12; 2 Timothy 2:16; 2 Timothy 3:9, 2 Timothy 3:13. Paul was a brilliant pupil under Gamaliel. See Philemon 3:4-6. He was in the lead of the persecution also. [source]
1 Timothy 4:7 Profane []
See on 1 Timothy 1:9, and comp. 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16; Hebrews 12:16. [source]
1 Timothy 4:15 Profiting [προκοπὴ]
Better, advance or progress. Only here and Philemon 1:12. The verb προκόπτειν in 2 Timothy 2:16; 2 Timothy 3:9, 2 Timothy 3:13. In lxx, see 2 Maccabees 8:8. The figure in the word is uncertain, but is supposed to be that of pioneers cutting ( κόπτω ) a way before ( πρὸ ) an army, and so furthering its advance. The opposite is ἐγκόπτειν to cut into, throw obstacles in the way, and so hinder. See Galatians href="/desk/?q=ga+5:7&sr=1">Galatians 5:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Peter 3:7. [source]
1 Timothy 1:9 Unholy - profane [ἀνοσίοις - βεβήλοις]
Ἁνοσιος unholyPastoSee on holiness, Luke 1:75. Βέβηλος profanecomp. 1 Timothy 4:7; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16; Hebrews 12:16. The verb βεβηλοῦν toprofane, Matthew 12:5; Acts 24:6, and often in lxx. Derived from βηλός threshold(comp. βαίνειν togo ). Hence the primary sense is that may be trodden. Comp. Lat. Profanus before the temple, on the ground outside. What is permitted to be trodden by people at large is unhallowed, profane. Esau is called βέβηλος in Hebrews 12:16, as one who did not regard his birthright as sacred, but as something to be sold in order to supply a common need. [source]
1 Timothy 6:20 Turning away from [εκτρεπομενος]
Present middle participle of εκτρεπω — ektrepō for which see note on 1 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 5:15. Babblings (κενοπωνιας — kenophōnias). From κενοπωνος — kenophōnos uttering emptiness. Late and rare compound, in N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 2:16. Oppositions Old word “Of the falsely named knowledge.” Old word (pseudēsonoma). Our “pseudonymous.” Only here in N.T. [source]
1 Timothy 6:20 Babblings [κενοπωνιας]
From κενοπωνος — kenophōnos uttering emptiness. Late and rare compound, in N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 2:16. [source]
2 Timothy 3:9 Shall proceed [προκόψουσιν]
See on 2 Timothy 2:16. [source]
2 Timothy 3:15 To make thee wise [σε σοφίσαι]
Only hero and 2 Peter 1:16. See note there on cunningly devised. To give thee understanding of that which lies behind the letter; to enable thee to detect in the Old Testaments. books various hidden allusions to Christ; to draw from the Old Testaments the mystery of messianic salvation, and to interpret the Old Testaments with Christ as the key. This gives significance to the following words through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ was the key of Scripture, and through faith in him Scripture became a power unto salvation. The false teachers also had their learning but used it in expounding Jewish fables, genealogies, etc. Hence, their expositions, instead of making wise unto salvation, were vain babblings; profane and old wives' fables (1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 2:16). Const. through faith, etc., with make wise, not with salvation. [source]
2 Timothy 3:13 Shall wax worse and worse [προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον]
Lit. shall proceed to the worse. The formula, PastoComp. 2 Timothy 3:9and 2 Timothy 2:16. [source]
2 Timothy 2:21 From these [ἀπὸ τούτων]
From such persons as are described as “vessels unto dishonor.” Some attempt to relieve the awkwardness of this figure by referring these to persons mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:16, 2 Timothy 2:17. [source]
2 Timothy 3:9 They shall proceed no further [ου προκοπσουσιν επι πλειον]
Future active of προκοπτω — prokoptō See note on 2 Timothy 2:16. [source]
2 Timothy 3:13 Shall wax worse and worse [προκοπσουσιν επι το χειρον]
“Shall cut forward to the worse stage.” See note on 2 Timothy 2:16 for προκοπτω — prokoptō Χειρον — Cheiron is comparative of κακος — kakos “to the worse than now.” Deceiving and being deceived (πλανωντες και πλανωμενοι — planōntes kai planōmenoi). Present active and present passive participles of πλαναω — planaō The tragedy of it all is that these seducers are able to deceive others as well as themselves. [source]
Titus 3:9 Shun [περιιστασο]
Present middle imperative of περιιστημι — periistēmi intransitive, step around, stand aside (2 Timothy 2:16). Common in this sense in the literary Koiné. Unprofitable (ανωπελεις — anōpheleis). Old compound adjective (α — a privative and οπελος — ophelos), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 7:18. [source]
Titus 2:12 Ungodliness [ἀσέβειαν]
In Pastorals only here and 2 Timothy 2:16. The contrary of εὐσέβεια , for which see on 1 Timothy 2:2. [source]
Jude 1:14 Hard [τῶν σκληρῶν]
Speeches is supplied. Lit., hard things. So Rev. The railing, gainsaying; the profane and vain bab blings (2 Timothy 2:16). Compare John 6:60, a hard saying, where the word means not abusive but difficult. In James 3:4, rough, used of the winds. In Acts 26:14, of Saul of Tarsus; “hard to kick against the pricks.” [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Timothy 2:16 mean?

- But worldly empty babblings avoid on to more for they will lead ungodliness
Τὰς δὲ βεβήλους κενοφωνίας περιΐστασο ἐπὶ πλεῖον γὰρ προκόψουσιν ἀσεβείας

Τὰς  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
βεβήλους  worldly 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: βέβηλος  
Sense: accessible, lawful to be trodden.
κενοφωνίας  empty  babblings 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: καινοφωνία 
Sense: empty discussion, discussion of vain and useless matters.
περιΐστασο  avoid 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle, 2nd Person Singular
Root: περιί̈στημι  
Sense: to place around one.
πλεῖον  to  more 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular, Comparative
Root: πολύς  
Sense: greater in quantity.
προκόψουσιν  they  will  lead 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: προκόπτω  
Sense: to beat forward.
ἀσεβείας  ungodliness 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἀσέβεια  
Sense: want of reverence towards God, impiety, ungodliness.