## them ## Possible meanings: 1) "the teachers" (UDB); 2) "the people of the church" ## before God ## "in the presence of God" or "knowing that God is watching you and them" ## not to quarrel about words ## “not to argue over what words mean” or “not to say words that cause fights” or “not to say words meant to hurt others” ## profits nothing ## "does no one any good" or "useless" ## ruining ## The image is of the destruction of a building. Those who hear the quarreling stop respecting the Christian message. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) ## those who listen ## "those who hear." ## present yourself approved to God ## "present yourself to God as a person that he has proven to be worthy" ## as a workman ## "like a workman" or "like a worker" ## handling correctly ## "correctly explaining"