Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

“The Lord’s servant”—i.e., every Christian, but particularly the pastor of a church—must not “quarrel.” Rather, they must be “kind” (GK 2473) to everyone, “apt to teach” (cf. 1 Timothy 3:2), and “not resentful.” Christians must have this sort of attitude toward those who oppose them. 25–26 At the same time, a good minister must “gently instruct” such people, in the hope that God will give them “repentance” (lit., “a change of heart”; GK 3567), leading to a full “knowledge” (GK 2106) of the truth, and that “they will come to their senses” and be set free from the snare of the devil.