2 Timothy 2:25

“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, etc.] To the truth; resist it and deny it; or contradict some other tenets and principles of theirs, or the Scriptures, which they themselves allowed to be the word of God, and the rule of faith and practice, and so are selfconvinced and self-condemned. These are to be instructed, being ignorant, and in a tender and gentle manner, though very perverse and obstinate. If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth: repentance here designs a repentance of errors in principle, a change of mind upon conviction, and such as issues in a free and ingenuous confession, and acknowledgment of the truth before…”

“instructing--Greek, "disciplining," instructing with correction, which those who deal in "uninstructive" or "undisciplined questions" need (see on Ti2 2:23; Ti1 1:20). those that oppose themselves--Greek, "oppositely affected"; those of a different opinion. if . . . peradventure--Greek, "if at any time." repentance--which they need as antecedent to the full knowledge (so the Greek for 'acknowledgment') of the truth" (Ti1 2:4), their minds being corrupted (Ti2 3:8), and their lives immoral. The cause of the spiritual ignorance which prompts such "questions" is moral, having its seat in the will, not in the intellect (Joh 7:17). Therefore repentance is their first need. That, not man, but God…”

“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves - That is, those who embrace error, and array themselves against the truth. We are not to become angry with such persons, and denounce them at once as heretics. We are not to hold them up to public reproach and scorn; but we are to set about the business of patiently “instructing them.” Their grand difficulty, it is supposed in this direction, is, that they are ignorant of the truth. Our business with them is, “calmly to show them what the truth is.” If they are angry, we are not to be. If they oppose the truth, we are still calmly to state it to them. If they are slow to see it, we are not to become weary or impatient. Nor, if they do not…”

“In meekness - He has often need of zeal, always of meekness. If haply God - For it is wholly his work. May give them repentance - The acknowledging of the truth would then quickly follow. 2 Timothy 2:26”

“2:25 Gently instruct: Cp. 1 Cor 4:21; 2 Cor 10:1; 1 Thes 5:14; 2 Thes 3:14-15; Titus 3:10-11; Jude 1:22-23.”

“In: Mat 11:29; Gal 6:1; Ti1 6:11; Pe1 3:15 instructing: Jer 13:15-17, Jer 26:12-15; Joh 5:34; Acts 22:1-23:11 if: Jer 31:18, Jer 31:19, Jer 31:33; Eze 11:19, Eze 36:26, Eze 36:31; Zac 12:10; Act 5:21, Act 11:18; Jam 1:17; Jo1 5:16 peradventure: Act 8:22; Ti1 2:4 repentance: Ti2 3:7; Mat 21:32; Mar 1:3, Mar 1:4, Mar 1:15; Act 2:38, Act 20:21; Tit 1:1 2 Timothy 2:26”