23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
I.THE LORD’S SERVANT
2 Timothy 2:23–25 (ESV) — 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness.
2 Timothy 2:23–25 ESV
23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
II. RESPONDING TO OPPONENTS
2 Timothy 2:23 (ESV) — 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
2 Timothy 2:23 ESV
23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
Quarrelsomeness is verbal fighting.
Yes, we must be firm or forceful, but we must also “be kind to everyone,” even our enemies. In brief, we should be Christlike. Paul himself ministered like this, as he reminded the Thessalonians: “We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7).[1]
[1] Hughes, R. K., & Chapell, B. (2000). 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: to guard the deposit (p. 219). Crossway Books.
