2 Timothy 2:24

And anyone that works for God can’t get into fights, but they have to be good to everybody. So don’t get angry with people that give you trouble. You have to teach people in a good way.

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

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

In Context

23But you can’t argue about stupid things that are not important. If you argue like that, you might get into a fight.

25If somebody doesn’t agree with the true message, you have to straighten them out, but do it quietly, in an easy way. You know, the devil, the boss over the bad spirits, he tries to trick people. It is like he sets a trap for them. He catches people in his trap, then he makes them do whatever he wants them to do. But if you teach people properly, they can wake up, then God will help them turn around, and he will get them to think straight, and they will understand that true message, and God will get them out of the devil’s trap.

Read all of 2 Timothy 2

Cross References

Matthew 12:19He will not fight with anyone or shout at people. Nobody will hear him shouting in the streets.

Acts 7:26The next day, Moses saw 2 of his own men fighting, and he tried to get them to stop fighting. He said, ‘You 2 men, you are both family. Why do you hit each other?’

Acts 23:9The council split up into 2 mobs and started shouting at each other. Some of the teachers of the Jewish law were from the Pharisee mob. They stood up and said, “We reckon this man hasn’t done anything wrong. Maybe an angel or some other spirit talked to him. That’s all right.”

Matthew Henry on 2 Timothy 2:23-26

Cautions against Contention. ( a. d. 66.) 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 2 Timothy 2:24