Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context: Paul has just instructed Timothy to “cleanse himself from what is dishonorable” and to “flee youthful passions.”

2 Timothy 2:23 “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.”

Observations: Controversies in this context arise when we swerve from the truth (v. 18).  God desires for His people to be unified (John 17:20-26).  He will go on to say, “the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (vv. 25-26).

Application: I must not breed quarrels.  I should “(d)o (my) best to present (myself) to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (v. 15).  I must focus on truth.  When controversies arise, I should not quarrel but correct my opponents with gentleness.

Do you breed quarrels?