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" Jde 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 is, that the servant of Christ should be a man of peace. He should not indulge in the feelings which commonly give rise to contention, and which commonly characterize it. He should not struggle for mere victory, even when endeavoring to maintain truth; but should do this, in all cases, with a kind spirit, and a mild temper; with entire candor; with nothing designed to provoke and irritate an adversary; and so that, whatever may be the result of the discussion, "the bond of peace" may, if possible, be preserved; compare the notes at Romans 12:18.

But be gentle unto all men; - see the notes at 1 Thessalonians 2:7. The word rendered "gentle," does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means that the Christian minister is to be meek and mild toward all, not disputatious and quarrelsome.

Apt to teach; - see the notes at 1 Timothy 3:2.

Patient - Margin, "forbearing." The Greek word here used does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means, patient under evils and injuries. Robinson, Lexicon. Compare the Ephesians 4:2 note; Colossians 3:13 note.

The servant of the Lord must not strive - See on 1 Timothy 3:2 (note), 1 Timothy 3:3 (note).

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.

The servant of the Lord (δοῦλον κυρίου)

The teacher or other special worker in the church. Comp. Titus 1:1; Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Philippians 1:1, Colossians 4:12. Of any Christian, 1 Corinthians 7:22; Ephesians 6:6. The phrase is often applied to the Old Testament prophets as a body: see Amos 3:7; Jeremiah 7:25; Ezra 9:11; Daniel 9:6. To Joshua, Judges 2:8; to David, Psalm 78:70.

Must not (οὐ δεῖ)

Moral obligation.

Gentle (ἤπιον)

Only here and 1 Thessalonians 2:7 (note).

Apt to teach, patient (διδακτικόν, ἀνεξίκακον)

Διδακτικός apt to teach, only here and 1 Timothy 3:2 (note). Ἁνεξικακία forbearing, N.T.o. Ανεξικακία forbearance Wisd. 2:19. Rend. Forbearing.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, {i} patient,

(i) To win them through our patient bearing with them, but not to please them or excuse them in their wickedness.

2:24 The servant of the Lord must not strive. Hence, should not engage in these profitless discussions.

2:24 A servant of the Lord must not - Eagerly or passionately. Strive - As do the vain wranglers spoken of, verse 23. But be apt to teach - Chiefly by patience and unwearied assiduity.

patient: or, forbearing

24. not strive-"The servant of the Lord" must imitate his master in not striving contentiously, though uncompromising in earnestly contending for the faith (Jude 3; Mt 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].

2:22-26 The more we follow that which is good, the faster and the further we shall flee from that which is evil. The keeping up the communion of saints, will take us from fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness. See how often the apostle cautions against disputes in religion; which surely shows that religion consists more in believing and practising what God requires, than in subtle disputes. Those are unapt to teach, who are apt to strive, and are fierce and froward. Teaching, not persecution, is the Scripture method of dealing with those in error. The same God who gives the discovery of the truth, by his grace brings us to acknowledge it, otherwise our hearts would continue to rebel against it. There is no peradventure, in respect of God's pardoning those who do repent; but we cannot tell that he will give repentance to those who oppose his will. Sinners are taken in a snare, and in the worst snare, because it is the devil's; they are slaves to him. And if any long for deliverance, let them remember they never can escape, except by repentance, which is the gift of God; and we must ask it of him by earnest, persevering prayer.