2 Timothy 2:15-19

paul gives some strong commands to timothy here. he gives him a purpose. that is to strive to be a worker approved by God. This worker is not ashamed because he can handle Gods word correctly. this is one of the qualifications of an approved worker. 2nd command is to avoid godless chatter. I think this is more than gossip, but probably more along the lines of bad theology. for some reason bad teaching spreads fast. it spreads and it kills or harms. unfortunate that it works like that. but thats the application for the day. know how to use God's word well.