Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Timothy 2:16

"But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness," — 2 Timothy 2:16 (ASV)

But shun profane and vain babblings.—But, in strong contrast to the conduct just urged, on the workman of God, you are to avoid (or, withdraw yourself from) vain babblings. The word rendered “shun” is a strong one, and signifies literally, to make a circuit so as to avoid; or, as Alford paraphrases it, “the meaning seems to come from a number of persons falling back from an object of fear or loathing, and standing at a distance round it.” The word is used in Titus 3:9. On the words “profane,” “vain babblings,” see 1 Timothy 6:20.

For they will increase unto more ungodliness.—Better translated, for they will advance unto . . . The tendency of these useless discussions and idle disputes is to lead people into vain and profitless speculations, which too often end—as in the case, cited below, of Hymenæus and Philetus—in the most fatal doctrinal error. The close connection between grave fundamental errors in doctrine and a lax and purely selfish life is constantly alluded to by St. Paul.