Avoid Godless Chatter
2Tim 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Godless chatter is, among other things, that which doesn't take God into account. The example that follows in verses17,18 is that of those who gave a religious opinion while ignoring what God said on the matter. Ungodliness is lifestyle which ignores God. No matter how allegedly "virtuous" the atheist, he is inherently ungodly for not deferring to God in the realms of ideas and behavior.
Paul had spoken previously to Timothy on this subject in his first letter where he said, "Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith." 1Tim 6:20,21 Thus "godless chatter" is that which is inconsistent with the content of our faith as declared to us in the Word of God, and thus such chatter is godless insomuch as it ignores what God has said.
Likewise he also advised Timothy, "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly." 1Tim 4:7 "godless" is the same word as elsewhere. Here he seems to be alluding to superstitions. And indeed in perhaps every culture you will find Christians combining their faith with superstitions. Don't be drawn into such things. Don't indulge in idle speculations.
2Tim 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Godless chatter is, among other things, that which doesn't take God into account. The example that follows in verses17,18 is that of those who gave a religious opinion while ignoring what God said on the matter. Ungodliness is lifestyle which ignores God. No matter how allegedly "virtuous" the atheist, he is inherently ungodly for not deferring to God in the realms of ideas and behavior.
Paul had spoken previously to Timothy on this subject in his first letter where he said, "Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith." 1Tim 6:20,21 Thus "godless chatter" is that which is inconsistent with the content of our faith as declared to us in the Word of God, and thus such chatter is godless insomuch as it ignores what God has said.
Likewise he also advised Timothy, "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly." 1Tim 4:7 "godless" is the same word as elsewhere. Here he seems to be alluding to superstitions. And indeed in perhaps every culture you will find Christians combining their faith with superstitions. Don't be drawn into such things. Don't indulge in idle speculations.
