The Greek word translated “unlearned,” is better rendered ignorant. These “questions,” which the false teachers, with whom Timothy was so much thrown, loved to put forward for discussion, could hardly be termed “unlearned”--much useless learning being often thrown away in these disputings of the schools--but were rather “pointless,” “stupid,” as well as foolish. (H. D. M. Spence, M. A.)
Ignorant questionings
I.Unadvised and unlearned questions are to be avoided.
1. For the ground of them is not good: such spring either from curiosity or ignorance.
2. The fruit therefore will be bitter; for nothing profitable.
II. Sin in the first causes is to be prevented. What of less motion or power than a word--a question? yet such of all men are to be regarded.
III. The causes of sin once discerned are to be resisted, shunned. Thou knowest that fond reasonings, unadvised disputings, beget quarrels, stir up strifes: therefore reject them, flee from them.
IV. Foolish questions raise contentions. It is a wonder to see what abundance of ill fruit one branch of fond reasoning hath produced. Like a bone cast amongst curs, an unlearned question will cause men to snarl, bite, and quarrel. (J. Barlow, D. D.)
Foolish questionings
Alady, of whom we beard in our travels, had worried several ministers who sought her good by always telling them that she could not believe till they could explain to her how God could be without a beginning. “For,” said she, “if He never began, then He has not begun, and there can be no God at all.” Very dexterous are certain persons in blocking up their own road, and yet, perhaps, there is no great dexterity in it, for the proverb says, “A fool may put questions which a wise man cannot answer.” In the Vatican at Rome we saw the renowned statue of the boy who has a thorn in his foot, and is busy extracting if. He was doing this when we first saw him, and three years after he was attempting the same operation. We have good reason for believing that he is even now in the same posture, and will be found in like attitude fifty years hence. He is carved in marble, and therefore is excused for making no progress; but what shall be said of living, thoughtful individuals who year after year are trifling with imaginary difficulties, and never set foot on the road to heaven?(C. H. Spurgeon.)
Unwise curiosity
The over-curious are not over-wise. (Massinger.)
Metaphysical subtleties
“Defend me, therefore, common sense, say I,
From reveries so airy, from the toil
Of dropping buckets into empty wells,
And growing old in drawing nothing up.”
(Cowper.)
Religious strife
Huxley came to Baltimore to attend a general conference in 1820. A discussion arose on a question of order, whether presiding elders should be elected by preachers or not, and the dispute had waxed warm, not to say hot. Brother Huxley had said not a word through it all, but at the close of the session the Bishop called upon him to make the concluding prayer. He knelt and said, “Now, O Lord, Thou knowest what a time we’ve had here discussing and arguing about this eider question, and Thou knowest what our feelings are. We do notcare what becomes of the ark; it’s only who drives the oxen.” (Christian Age.)
