2 Timothy 2:16

shun The word is the same as in Titus 3:9 where reasons are given for rendering it avoid. The present tense here and in 2 Timothy 2:14 are all the more forcible for the aorists which come in between. -Be ever putting in remembrance" -ever avoiding." The article before -profane babblings" points to a well-known theme, -these false teachers and their talk." -Let your teachers and yourself handle truth aright; but the false teachers and their profane babblings avoid." Hence there is no real ambiguity about the subject to the next clause; though R.V. leaves us in doubt. -For these false teachers will only proceed further in ungodliness." The pronoun in the next verse refers back to them.

profaneand vain babblings Profane babblings; -babblings" is sufficient rendering of the word without the addition of -vain": the word only occurs here and 1 Timothy 6:20; see note there.

they will increase unto more ungodliness Lit. they will proceed further on. The verb corresponds to the word for -progress" in 1 Timothy 4:15 where its usage is noted. As Bp Ellicott points out, the future shews that the error of the false teachers had not yet -appeared in its most developed state."