Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Timothy 2:22-26

"after righteousness, faith, love, pace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes. And the Lord`s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will." — 2 Timothy 2:22-26 (ASV)

The more we follow that which is good, the faster and further we will flee from that which is evil. Maintaining the communion of saints will take us from fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness. See how often the apostle cautions against disputes in religion; which surely shows that religion consists more in believing and practicing what God requires, than in subtle disputes.

Those are unfit to teach who are prone to strive, and are fierce and perverse. Teaching, not persecution, is the Scripture method of dealing with those in error. The same God who reveals the truth, by His grace brings us to acknowledge it; otherwise, our hearts would continue to rebel against it. There is no uncertainty regarding God's pardoning those who repent; but we cannot be certain that He will give repentance to those who oppose His will.

Sinners are caught in a snare, and in the worst snare, because it is the devil's; they are slaves to him. And if any yearn for deliverance, let them remember they can never escape, except by repentance, which is the gift of God; and we must ask it of Him by earnest, persevering prayer.