And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
All Commentaries on 2 Timothy 2:24 Go To 2 Timothy 2
John Chrysostom
AD 407
And the servant of the Lord must not strive.
Not even in questions ought he to strive, for the servant of the Lord must keep far from strife, since God is the God of peace, and what should the servant of the God of peace have to do with strife?
But be gentle unto all men.
How is it then he says, Rebuke with all authority Titus 2:15; and again, Let no man despise your youth 1 Timothy 4:12: and again, Rebuke them sharply? Titus 1:13 Because this is consistent with meekness. For a strong rebuke, if it be given with gentleness, is most likely to wound deeply: for it is possible, indeed it is, to touch more effectually by gentleness, than one overawes by boldness.
Apt to teach; that is, those who are willing to be taught. For a man that is an heretic, he says, after the first and second admonition reject. Titus 3:10 Patient. He has well added this, for it is a quality which a teacher above all things ought to possess. All things are vain without it. And if fishermen do not despair, though often they cast their nets for a whole day without catching anything, much more should not we. For see what is the result. From constant teaching, it often happens that the plow of the word, descending to the depth of the soul, roots out the evil passion that troubled it. For he that hears often will at length be affected. A man cannot go on hearing continually without some effect being produced. Sometimes therefore, when he was on the point of being persuaded, he is lost by our becoming weary. For the same thing occurs, as if an unskillful husbandman should in the first year dig about the vine he had planted, and seeking to reap some fruit in the second year, and again in the third, and gathering nothing, should after three years despair, and in the fourth year, when he was about to receive the recompense of his labors, abandon his vine. And having said, Patient, he is not satisfied, but goes on to say,
