A.T. Robertson Commentary 2 Timothy 2:24

"And the Lord`s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing," — 2 Timothy 2:24 (ASV)

Must not strive (ου δε μαχεσθα). Rather, "it is not necessary for him to fight" (in such verbal quibbles). The negative ου goes with δε, not with the infinitive μαχεσθα.

Gentle (ηπιον). Old word (from επος, speech), affable, mild, in N.T. only here (and 1 Thessalonians 2:7 in some MSS.; W. H. have νηπιος).

Teachable (διδακτικον). See 1 Timothy 3:2.

Forbearing (ανεξικακον). Late compound (from future of ανεχω, ανεξω, and κακον, putting up with evil). Here only in N.T.