2 Timothy 2:24

24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

2 Timothy 2:24 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
English Standard Version (ESV)
24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
New Living Translation (NLT)
24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
The Message Bible (MSG)
24 God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool,
American Standard Version (ASV)
24 And the Lord's servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel. Instead, he must be kind to everyone. He must be a good teacher. He must be willing to suffer wrong.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
24 The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient,
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
24 Anyone who serves the Lord must not fight. Instead, he must be kind to everyone. He must be able to teach. He must not hold anything against anyone.

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 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 1 Timothy 3:2,3
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