Clement of Alexandria : The Stoics also, whom he mentions too, say not well that the Deity, being a body, pervades the vilest matter. He calls the jugglery of logic "the tradition of men." Wherefore also he adds, "Avoid juvenile questions. For such contentions are puerile." "But virtue is no lover of boys," says the philosopher Plato. And our struggle, according to Gorgias Leontinus, requires two virtues-boldness and wisdom-boldness to undergo danger, and wisdom to understand the enigma. For the Word, like the Olympian proclamation, calls him who is willing, and crowns him who is able to continue unmoved as far as the truth is concerned. — The Stromata Book 1 Cyprian : Also to Timothy: "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they generate strifes. But the servant of God ought not to strive, but to be gentle towards all men." — Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews Desert Fathers : A hermit said, 'Ask God to give you inner grief of heart and humility. Always look at your own sins, and do not judge another's. Be the servant of all. Do not make friends with a woman, or a boy or a heretic. Do not be self-confident. Control your tongue and appetite, and do not drink wine. If anyone speaks to you on a controversial matter, do not argue with him. If he speaks well, say, "Yes." If he speaks ill, say, "I don't know anything about that." Don't argue with what he has said, and then your mind will be at peace.' — The Desert Fathers, Sayings of the Early Christian Monks Irenaeus : For their system is blasphemous above all [others], since they represent that the Maker and Framer, who is one God, as I have shown, was produced from a defect or apostasy. They utter blasphemy, also, against our Lord, by cutting off and dividing Jesus from Christ, and Christ from the Saviour, and again the Saviour from the Word, and the Word from the Only-begotten. And since they allege that the Creator originated from a defect or apostasy, so have they also taught that Christ and the Holy Spirit were emitted on account of this defect, and that the Saviour was a product of those Aeons who were produced from a defect; so that there is nothing but blasphemy to be found among them. In the preceding book, then, the ideas of the apostles as to all these points have been set forth, to the effect that not only did they, "who from the beginning were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word" of truth, hold no such opinions, but that they did also preach to us to shun these doctrines, foreseeing by the Spirit those weak-minded persons who should be led astray. — Against Heresies Book 4 John Chrysostom : "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes." Do you see how he everywhere draws him off from questions; not that he was not able to overthrow them; for he was well able. For had he not been able he would have said, Be diligent, that thou mayest be able to refute them; as when he says, "Give attendance to reading, for by so doing thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee." (1 Tim. iv. 13, 1 Tim iv. 16) But he knew that it was useless to enter at all into these disputes, that there will be no end of it, save contentions, enmities, insults, and reproaches. These "questions" therefore "avoid"; so that there are other questions, some relating to the Scriptures, some to other things. — Homily on 2 Timothy 6 Oecumenius : Reject foolish and ignorant questions, knowing that they generate arguments. A servant of the Lord must not argue but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient. foolish and ignorant. For there are also sound and learned questions, namely those concerning the sacred Scriptures. But why did he say, "Reject," and not rather, "Convince and refute it yourself"? Because a good answer brings no benefit: for they generate arguments. A servant of the Lord must not argue. For the servants of Christ ought to be peaceful. but be gentle to all. If one ought to be gentle and mild, how did he say elsewhere: "Rebuke them sharply," (Titus 1:13) and: "Let not the youth be despised"? (1 Tim. 4:12) Because it happens that one can rebuke sharply with mildness, and rashly and severely. able to teach, that is, to those who desire to learn. Furthermore, flee from a heretical man after one or two warnings. patient. For indeed, boldness is fierce, but gentleness knows how to persuade. For who would be persuaded by the bold one, who is often opposed even by the one advising? How then does Paul say elsewhere, after the first and second admonition, to avoid heretics? For see, having said this here as well, he designated the heretics as those challenging. And we say that those confessed and incurably ill must be avoided. But those concerning whom the matter was doubtful, and it is clear from what was said, "that God may grant them repentance." For the phrase "may" is a custom for us to speak about the uncertain. — COMMENTARY ON 2 TIMOTHY