Original Word: ζήτησις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: zétésis
Pronunciation: dzay'-tay-sis
Phonetic Spelling: (dzay'-tay-sis)
KJV: question
NASB: debate, controversial questions, controversies, discussion, how to investigate, speculations
Word Origin: [from G2212 (ζητέω - seek)]

1. a searching (properly, the act), i.e. a dispute or its theme

question, speculation

From zeteo; a searching (properly, the act), i.e. A dispute or its theme -- question.

see GREEK zeteo

Cognate: 2214 zḗtēsis (a feminine noun) – a meaningless question to investigate a specific practice (as the outgrowth of a principle). See 2212 (zēteō).

Word Origin
from zéteó
Definition
a search, questioning
NASB Translation
controversial questions (1), controversies (1), debate (2), discussion (1), how to investigate (1), speculations (1).

STRONGS NT 2214: ἐκζήτησις

ἐκζήτησις (ἐκζητέω, which see), ἐκζητησεως, ἡ;

1. an investigating.

2. a subject of subtle inquiry and dispute (R. V. questioning): 1 Timothy 1:4 T Tr (WH; see Ellicott at the passage and cf. οἰκονομία). (Basil Caesar., Didymus of Alexandria (circa ).)

STRONGS NT 2214: ζήτησιςζήτησις, ζητήσεως, ἡ (ζητέω);

a. a seeking: (Herodotus), Thucydides 8, 57; others;

b. inquiry (German dieFrage): περί τίνος, Acts 25:20.

c. a questioning, debate: Acts 15:2 (for Rec. συζήτησις); 7 T Tr text WH; περί τίνος, John 3:25.

d. a subject of questioning or debate, matter of controversy: 1 Timothy 1:4 R G L; ; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9.

Biblical Overview

Strong’s Greek 2214 designates those discussions or investigations that arise when people “seek” clarification yet often devolve into argument. Scripture records eight instances, revealing both constructive inquiry and destructive controversy.

Occurrences and Immediate Contexts

• John 3:25 – A dispute surfaces between the disciples of John the Baptist and a Jew regarding ceremonial cleansing, highlighting how questions of ritual can distract from the Messiah to whom John is pointing.
• Acts 15:2, 7 – At Antioch and later in Jerusalem, lively discussion over circumcision becomes the occasion for Spirit-guided clarification of the gospel’s freedom. Genuine inquiry here leads to doctrinal clarity and church unity.
• Acts 25:20 – Festus confesses he is “at a loss how to investigate such matters” concerning Paul; Roman jurisprudence proves inadequate for spiritual questions that require revelation.
• 1 Timothy 1:4 – Myths and endless genealogies foster speculations rather than “God’s stewardship, which is by faith,” warning against curiosity untethered to divine purpose.
• 1 Timothy 6:4 – The conceited teacher is “obsessed with disputes and arguments about words” that breed friction rather than edification.
• 2 Timothy 2:23 – Timothy must “reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed quarrels.”
• Titus 3:9 – Believers are to “avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the Law, because these things are pointless and worthless.”

Positive and Negative Dimensions

1. Positive: In Acts 15, earnest debate under apostolic oversight preserves gospel truth, demonstrating that careful theological inquiry is invaluable when submitted to Scripture and the Holy Spirit.
2. Negative: In the Pastoral Epistles, the term consistently describes speculative wrangling that undermines faith, corrodes love, and distracts from ministry.

Historical Background

First-century Judaism prized genealogical records and ritual purity. Emerging heresies blended such interests with speculative myths. Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus address churches where Judaizers and proto-Gnostics promoted these ideas, turning healthy study into contentious striving. Meanwhile, the Greco-Roman world, represented by Festus, regarded Christian doctrine as an esoteric religious question beyond the scope of civil law.

Theological Significance

• Sound doctrine unites believers around Christ; fruitless disputes fracture fellowship.
• The gospel message is sufficiently clear; endless conjecture betrays a lack of contentment with revealed truth.
• Authority rests in Scripture, not in human speculation, pedigrees, or verbal one-upmanship.

Guidelines for Ministry

1. Cultivate inquiry that seeks God’s glory and the edification of the church, emulating the Jerusalem Council.
2. Expose and avoid controversies that cannot bear spiritual fruit, as commanded in 1 Timothy 6:4 and Titus 3:9.
3. Train leaders capable of distinguishing profitable questions from pointless debating, maintaining focus on “the stewardship of faith.”
4. Anchor every discussion in the whole counsel of God, preventing personal agendas from hijacking theological conversation.

Contemporary Application

• Guard pulpits, classrooms, and online forums from speculation that marginalizes the gospel.
• Encourage believers to ask honest questions while submitting every answer to the authority of Scripture.
• Model humility in dialogue, remembering that truth is not advanced by winning arguments but by faithful proclamation of Christ crucified and risen.

Summary

Strong’s 2214 highlights the fine line between earnest inquiry and destructive dispute. When submitted to apostolic authority and the Word, it can safeguard gospel purity; when driven by pride or curiosity, it produces division and spiritual sterility. Wise believers embrace the former and resolutely refuse the latter, ensuring that all seeking ultimately leads to the knowledge of the truth in Jesus Christ.

εκζητησεις ἐκζητήσεις ζητησεις ζητήσεις ζητησεως ζητήσεως ζητησιν ζήτησιν ζητησις ζήτησις ζιβύνας ζιβύνην ekzeteseis ekzetḗseis ekzētēseis ekzētḗseis zeteseis zetḗseis zētēseis zētḗseis zeteseos zetḗseos zētēseōs zētḗseōs zetesin zētēsin zḗtesin zḗtēsin zetesis zētēsis zḗtesis zḗtēsisInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts