2 Timothy 2:16

2 Timothy 2:16

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

a. NLT: Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

b. NIV: Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

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

d. Amplified Bible: But avoid all empty vain, useless, idle talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.

e. Worrell Translation: But shun the profane babblings, for they will proceed to more ungodliness;

f. Wuest Translation: But with reference to unhallowed and empty discussions, give them a wide berth, for they will progress to more impiety towards God.

1. “But shun profane and vain babblings…”

a. But [Strong: 1161 de deh a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. shun [Strong: 4026 periistemi per-ee-is'-tay-mee from 4012 and 2476; to stand all around, i.e. (near) to be a bystander, or (aloof) to keep away from:--avoid, shun, stand by (round about).] [Zodhiates: to place oneself from a distance from, avoiding.]

c. profane [Strong: 952 bebelos beb'-ay-los from the base of 939 and belos (a threshold); accessible (as by crossing the door-way), i.e. (by implication, of Jewish notions) heathenish, wicked:--profane (person).] [Zodhiates: unhallowed, the opposite of sacred, profane, void of religion.] [Google Chrome Search: relating or devoted to that which is not sacred or biblical; secular rather than religious. (of a person or their behavior) not respectful of orthodox religious practice; irreverent. (of language) blasphemous or obscene.]

d. [and] vain babblings [Strong: 2757 kenophonia ken-of-o-nee'-ah from a presumed compound of 2756 and 5456; empty sounding, i.e. fruitless discussion:--vain.] [Zodhiates: kenophonia; keno-vain; phone-a voice; Empty or fruitless speaking.]

1). Would it be so out of context to interpret it thus: Avoid, place much distance between yourself and secular vanities.

2. “…for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”

a. for [Strong: 1063 gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. [they will] increase [Strong: 4298  prokopto prok-op'-to from 4253 and 2875; to drive forward (as if by beating), i.e. (figuratively and intransitively) to advance (in amount, to grow; in time, to be well along):--increase, proceed, profit, be far spent, wax.] [Zodhiates: prokopto; pro-before, forward; kopto-to cut, strike, impel; In 2 Timothy 2:16 it means to further.]

c. unto [Strong: 1909 epi ep-ee' a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).

d. more [Strong: 4119  pleion pli-own, or neuter pleion pli'-on, or pleon pleh'-on comparative of 4183; more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion:--X above, + exceed, more excellent, further, (very) great(-er), long(-er), (very) many, greater (more) part, + yet but.]

e. ungodliness [Strong: 763 asebeia as-eb'-i-ah from 765; impiety, i.e. (by implication) wickedness:--ungodly(-liness).]

1). Profane, secular, empty speaking will increase [or descend] into ungodliness. The process is further described in the next verse.

2). This is one of the warnings against indulging in popular culture. American popular culture is overflowing with content fit only for a sewer. Under the guise of free speech, TV programs, movies and music provide seeds and fertilizer to produce more and more ungodliness. It is a universal spiritual law that seeds will reproduce after their own kind. Not only is the level of corruption increasing but the speed at which it is increasing is accelerating. Ungodliness is increasing.

3). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 8/2/2013  Paul's earlier warning about "word fights" (2 Timothy 2:14) is strengthened in the text above with a different emphasis. Word fights are "picky" debates started by quarrelsome people. They are useless and divisive. They create conflicts and schisms.  Profane and vain babblings, however, are worldly and valueless "noise." Less obvious and more subtle than fighting, they have the effect of destroying godliness. "But refuse profane |ungodly| and old wives' fables |myths, baseless stories|, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7).  Because "godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (1 Timothy 4:8), Paul strongly urged Timothy to "keep |guard| that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith" (1 Timothy 6:20, 21). The "oppositions" spoken of are the "antithesis"—the conflict, the stand against knowledge. Paul calls this anti-knowledge a pseudonumos—a false name. It sounds like knowledge but is not true. The results of these "babblings" are not good. Ungodliness will increase. Error will eat away at spiritual health and truth like gangrene. The two church leaders that Paul mentions, Hymenaeus and Philetus, are listed as examples of such a cancer. They taught that the resurrection had already occurred for the saints. Peter's warning is very similar: "Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness" (2 Peter 3:17). HMM III