2 Timothy 2:24

24 But it behooveth the servant of the Lord to chide not [to not chide]; but to be mild to all men, able to teach, patient,

2 Timothy 2:24 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 2:24

And the servant of the Lord must not strive
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 instructions.

Apt to teach,
showing a willingness to instruct the ignorant and obstinate, and making use of abilities given for that purpose, notwithstanding all discouragements; for it follows,

patient,
or "bearing evil"; not only the infirmities of weak brethren in the church, and the reproaches and persecutions of profane men in the world; but also the contradictions and oppositions of the adversaries of truth, so as not to be irritated and provoked, or to be discouraged, and desist from the defence of the Gospel.

2 Timothy 2:24 In-Context

22 And flee thou [the] desires of youth, but follow thou rightwiseness, faith, charity, peace, with them that inwardly call the Lord [that in-call the Lord] of a clean heart.

23 And eschew thou foolish questions, and without knowing [Forsooth shun thou foolish questions, and without discipline], witting that those gender chidings.

24 But it behooveth the servant of the Lord to chide not [to not chide]; but to be mild to all men, able to teach, patient,

25 with temperance reproving them that against-stand the truth, that sometime God give to them repenting, that they know the truth [that sometime God give them penance to know the truth],

26 and that they rise again from the snares of the devil, of whom they be held prisoners at his will [of whom they be holden captive at his will].