2 Timothy 2:25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:22-26

I. Paul here exhorts Timothy to beware of youthful lusts, 2 Tim. 2:22. Though he was a holy good man, very much mortified to the world, yet Paul thought it necessary to caution him against youthful lusts: ?Flee them, take all possible care and pains to keep thyself pure from them.? The lusts of the flesh are youthful lusts, which young people must carefully watch against, and the best must not be secure. He prescribes an excellent remedy against youthful lusts: Follow righteousness, faith,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Timothy 2:22-26

2:22-26 Flee from youthful passions; run in pursuit of righteousness in the company of those who call on the Lord from a clean conscience. Have nothing to do with foolish and stupid arguments, for you know that they only breed quarrels. The servant of the Lord must not fight, rather he must be kindly to all, apt to teach, forbearing, disciplining his opponents by gentleness. It may be that God will enable them to repent, so that they will come to know the truth, and so that they will escape... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:25

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves ,.... 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 self-convinced 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 2:25

Those that oppose - Αντιδιατιθεμενους . This seems to refer to those who opposed the apostle's authority; and hence the propriety of the allusion to the rebellion of Korah and his company. See observations at the end of the chapter. If God peradventure - He was to use every means which he had reason to believe God might bless; and the apostle intimates that, bad as they were, they were not out of the reach of God's mercy. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 2:25

Verse 25 25If sometime God grant to them repentance This expression, “If sometime,” or “If perhaps,” points out the difficulty of the case, as being nearly desperate or beyond hope. Paul therefore means that even towards the most unworthy we must exercise meekness; and although at first there be no appearance of having gained advantage, still we must make the attempt. For the same reason he mentions that “God will grant it.” Since the conversion of a man is in the hand of God, who knows whether... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:14-26

Conduct in view of heresy appearing in the Church. I. METHOD OF THE HERETICS . "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear." The method of the heretics called for solemn warning from Timothy. Its essential character was word fighting. It dealt with the form, and not with the reality; and so it came to be controversial. The word is not unimportant, but it has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:15-26

The skilful workman. Besides the concentration of purpose, and the willingness to endure, which are necessary to the faithful minister of Christ, two other qualifications are no less needed. The one is skill in his work; the other is gentleness and patience in dealing with those that oppose themselves. By skill in his work we mean both the knowing what to avoid and shun, and the effective handling of the Word of truth. The minister of Christ who wastes his time, and spends his strength in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:24-26

The importance of ministers cultivating a peaceful and forbearing spirit. I. THE TRUE TEMPER OF THE MINISTER OF CHRIST . 1 . Negatively. "The servant of the Lord must not strive." This does not mean that 2 . Positively. II. THE BENEFITS THAT WILL ACCRUE FROM SUCH METHODS OF INSTRUCTION . "If God peradventure will give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:25

Correcting them for instructing those, A.V.; peradventure God for God peradventure, A.V.; may for will, A.V.; unto the knowledge for to the acknowledging, A.V. Correcting ( παιδεύοντα ), παιδεύειν means properly to "educate," "bring up," or "train" a child. Hence sometimes the idea of teaching predominates, sometimes that of correcting or chastising. Here the context shows that the idea of teaching is pre-dominant—partly because the word suggests something... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Timothy 2:25

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... read more

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