But avoid foolish and uninstructive questions He calls them foolish, because they are uninstructive; that is, they contribute nothing to godliness, whatever show of acuteness they may hold out. When we are wise in a useful manner, then alone are we truly wise. This ought to be carefully observed; for we see what foolish admiration the world entertains for silly trifles, and how eagerly it runs after them. That an ambition to please may not urge us to seek the favor of men by such display, let us always remember this remarkable testimony of Paul, that questions, which are held in high estimation, are nevertheless foolish, because they are unprofitable. Knowing that they beget quarrels Next, he expresses the evil which they commonly produce. And here he says nothing else than what we experience every day, that they give occasion for jangling and debates. And yet the greater part of men, after having received so many instructions, do not at all profit by them.

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid; - see the notes at 2-Timothy 2:16; compare the notes at 1-Timothy 1:4, 1-Timothy 1:6; 1-Timothy 4:7. The word "unlearned," here, means "trifling; that which does not tend to edification; stupid." The Greeks and the Hebrews were greatly given to controversies of various kinds, and many of the questions discussed pertained to points which could not be settled, or which, if settled, were of no importance. Such has been the character of no small part of the disputes which have agitated the world. Paul correctly says that the only effect of such disputes is to engender harsh contention. Points of real importance can be discussed with no injury to the temper; but people cannot safely dispute about trifles.

Foolish and unlearned questions - See the notes on 1-Timothy 1:4; 1-Timothy 4:7 (note), and Titus 3:9 (note).

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid,.... Such as have no solid wisdom in them, and are foreign from the Gospel, the wisdom of God in a mystery, and are not useful and unedifying; such ought to be avoided, publicly and privately; they should not be started in the public ministry, nor attended to in private conversation; as being unworthy of the notice of a minister of the Gospel wise and learned, and useless to the church, and to his hearers.
Knowing that they do gender strife; about words, and contentions, which break the peace of churches, and hinder the profit of souls, and the progress of the Gospel.

(Titus 3:9.)
unlearned--Greek, "undisciplined"; not tending to promote the discipline of faith and morals (Proverbs 5:23). "Uninstructive"; in contrast with "instructing" (2-Timothy 2:25), and "wise unto salvation" (2-Timothy 3:15).
avoid--"decline."

Foolish and unlearned questions avoid. Such unprofitable questions and speculations as the false teachers raise.
The servant of the Lord must not strive. Hence, should not engage in these profitless discussions.
In meekness correcting. Opposers must be corrected, but not rudely; rather gently, kindly, humbly.
If God . . . will give them repentance. God gives repentance often by providences which lead to repentance.
And that they may recover. They are in "the snare of the devil," taken captive at will. The only hope is that in the providence of God they "may recover" themselves (the idea is, to "return to soberness." See margin of Revision), repent, and acknowledge the truth. Men are commanded to Repent, Matthew 3:2; Acts 2:38, etc., but here God is alluded to as "peradventure" giving repentance. The meaning is made clear by comparing with Acts 11:18 : "Then hath God also the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." The meaning there is that God has granted to the Gentiles the privilege of repentance, even as unto the Jews. So Paul's idea here is that God, peradventure, may grant these, though sinning so grievously, opportunities for repentance, instead of delivering them over to hardness of heart.