2 Timothy 2:24

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive, etc.] By “the servant of the Lord” is not meant any believer in common, but a minister of the word, as Timothy was; such an one ought not to strive about words to no profit, about mere words, and in a litigious, quarrelsome manner, and for mastery and not truth; though he may, and ought to strive for the faith of the Gospel; this is praiseworthy in him: but be gentle unto all men; not only to troubled minds, and wounded consciences, by supplying them with the precious promises and truths of the Gospel; and to backsliders, by restoring them in a spirit of meekness; but even to those who contradict the truth, and themselves, by mild and kind…”

“not strive--"The servant of the Lord" must imitate his master in not striving contentiously, though uncompromising in earnestly contending for the faith (Jde 1:3; Mat 12:19). gentle unto all men--"patient" (Greek, "patient in bearing wrongs") in respect to adversaries. He is to be gentle so that he may occasion no evils; patient so that he may endure evils. apt to teach--implying not only solid teaching and ease in teaching, but patience and assiduity in it [BENGEL].”

“And the servant of the Lord - Referring here primarily to the Christian minister, but applicable to all Christians; for all profess to be the servants of the Lord. Must not strive - He may calmly inquire after truth; he may discuss points of morals, or theology, if he will do it with a proper spirit; he may “contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints” Jude 1:3; but he may not do that which is here mentioned as strife. The Greek word - μάχεσθαι machesthai - commonly denotes, “to fight, to make war, to contend.” In John 6:52; Acts 7:26; 2 Timothy 2:24;, it is rendered “strove,” and “strive;” in James 4:2, “fight.” It is not elsewhere used in the New Testament. The meaning…”

“A servant of the Lord must not - Eagerly or passionately. Strive - As do the vain wranglers spoken of, Ti2 2:23. But be apt to teach - Chiefly by patience and unwearied assiduity. 2 Timothy 2:25”

“2:24 A servant of the Lord: See Titus 1:1; cp. Isa 42:1-2; 50:6; 53:7; Matt 12:14-21. • be able to teach, and be patient: See 1 Tim 3:2-3; Titus 3:2.”

“the servant: Deu 34:5; Jos 1:1; Ch2 24:6; Dan 6:20; Ti1 6:11; Tit 1:1, Tit 3:2; Jam 1:1 must: Mat 12:19; Act 15:2; Co2 10:4; Phi 2:3, Phi 2:14; Ti1 3:3; Tit 1:7; Jam 1:19, Jam 1:20; Jde 1:3 strive: Joh 6:52; Act 7:26, Act 23:9; Jam 4:2 \*Gr. but: Isa 40:11; Co2 10:1; Gal 5:22; Th1 2:7; Tit 3:2; Jam 3:17; Pe1 3:8 apt: Ti1 3:2, Ti1 3:3; Tit 1:9 patient: or, forbearing, Eph 4:2; Col 3:13 2 Timothy 2:25”