2 Timothy 2:14

θεοῦ. The evidence is here rather evenly balanced between θεοῦ and κυρίου, the rec. reading. θεοῦ is supported by אCG f g and the Bohairic; κυρίου by AD2EKLP d e &c.; but the MS. witness for θεοῦ is confirmed also by the fact that ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ is a common Pauline phrase, whereas ἐν. κυρίου only occurs once (2 Corinthians 8:21) and then in an O.T. quotation.

λογομαχεῖν. Lachmann is almost alone among critical editors in departing from the rec. text by reading λογομάχει with AC* and the Latins; λογομαχεῖν has the weight of authority in its favour, being supported by אD2EGKLP, the Syriac and the Bohairic versions.

ἐπʼ οὐδέν. This is the reading of א*ACP 17; G has ἐπʼ οὐδενὶ. The rec. text has εἰς οὐδέν with אcD2EKL.

14. ταῦτα ὑπομίμνησκε, put them in mind of these things; sc. remind those over whom you are placed of the need and the reward of courage and endurance. ὑπομιμνήσκω is only used once elsewhere by St Paul, at Titus 3:1.

διαμαρτυρόμενος ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ. see on 1 Timothy 5:21 and critical note above.

μὴ λογομαχεῖν, not to strive with words, i.e. not to indulge in controversy. See the note on λογομαχίαι at 1 Timothy 6:4; the verb λογομαχεῖν does not occur again in the Greek Bible.

ἐπʼ οὐδὲν χρήσιμον, which is profitable for nothing; the words are in apposition to the preceding λογομαχεῖν. χρήσιμος is a ἄπ. λεγ. the N.T. See critical note. The preposition ἐπί both here and in the next clause marks the result rather than the intention (which would be expressed by εἰς) of the logomachies which are condemned.

ἐπὶ καταστροφῇ τῶν�, to the subversion of them that hear. καταστροφή does not occur again in the N.T. (in 2 Peter 2:6 it is not the true reading), but it is not uncommon in the LXX.; it is used here as almost equivalent to the καθαίρεσις of 2 Corinthians 13:10, which is the direct opposite of οἰκοδομή.