Warn them before God against QUARRELING about WORDS

[TonyChanYT]

2 Timothy 2:

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

Was Paul against word study and lexical analysis?

No, Paul wrote earlier in 1 Timothy 6:

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.

Paul was against self-conceit and unhealthy controversy:

He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words,

What's wrong with quarrels about words?

which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5a and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth.

Watch out for these negative consequences when arguing about words.

Where do we draw the line between proper hermeneutics and foolish arguments?

Check the heart attitudes of the participants. Is there peace inside and outside? Peace is the line. When one crosses it, he is entering the territory of foolish arguments.

See also Do not go BEYOND the things which are written.