Able Apt Behoveth Bondman Bondservant Bond-servant Contend Evil Forbearing Gentle Inoffensive Instead Kind Kindly Lord's Ought Patient Putting Quarrel Quarrelsome Ready Resentful Servant Skilful Strive Teach Teacher Teaching Towards Trouble Wrong Wronged Wrongs
2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, {i} patient,
(i) To win them through our patient bearing with them, but not to please them or excuse them in their wickedness.
2:24 The servant of the Lord must not strive. Hence, should not engage in these profitless discussions.
2:24 A servant of the Lord must not - Eagerly or passionately. Strive - As do the vain wranglers spoken of, verse 23. But be apt to teach - Chiefly by patience and unwearied assiduity.
2:22-26 The more we follow that which is good, the faster and the further we shall flee from that which is evil. The keeping up 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 practising what God requires, than in subtle disputes. Those are unapt to teach, who are apt to strive, and are fierce and froward. Teaching, not persecution, is the Scripture method of dealing with those in error. The same God who gives the discovery of the truth, by his grace brings us to acknowledge it, otherwise our hearts would continue to rebel against it. There is no peradventure, in respect of God's pardoning those who do repent; but we cannot tell that he will give repentance to those who oppose his will. Sinners are taken in a snare, and in the worst snare, because it is the devil's; they are slaves to him. And if any long for deliverance, let them remember they never can escape, except by repentance, which is the gift of God; and we must ask it of him by earnest, persevering prayer.
Able Apt Behoveth Bondman Bondservant Bond-Servant Contend Forbearing Gentle Instead Kind Kindly Lord's Patient Putting Quarrel Quarrelsome Ready Resentful Right Servant Skilful Strive Teach Teacher Teaching Towards Trouble Wrong Wrongs
Able Apt Behoveth Bondman Bondservant Bond-Servant Contend Forbearing Gentle Instead Kind Kindly Lord's Patient Putting Quarrel Quarrelsome Ready Resentful Right Servant Skilful Strive Teach Teacher Teaching Towards Trouble Wrong Wrongs
