CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
2 Timothy 2:24. And the servant of the Lord must not strive.—The wrangling spirit that delights in strife should never be seen in the messenger of the gospel of peace and good-will. But be gentle.—The word occurs again in New Testament only at 1 Thessalonians 2:7. “It is used of an amiable conduct or disposition of a superior towards an inferior,” or “an outward mildness and gentleness especially in bearing with others.” Apt to teach.—He must be didactic—not only having the ability but the willingness to teach. Though the public address in the congregation was permitted to every one with a charisma, still the bishop in particular had to know how to handle doctrine. Patient.—Able to endure evil, as it is directed against himself. On the necessity of a high priest being compassionate to the erring see Hebrews 5:2.
2 Timothy 2:25. Those that oppose themselves.—When a man imagines those who are bent on his welfare are his worst enemies, he sets himself with very determined opposition.
2 Timothy 2:26. That they may recover themselves.—A.V. margin, “awake.” R.V. margin, “Gr. return to soberness.” The preposition in the compound word may express motion from beneath, and so the word would mean that they may come up out of the stupefaction which holds them down, but the classical meaning is, to become sober again. Heretical teaching, like intoxication, clouds men’s wits. Who are taken captive by him at his will.—R.V. “having been taken captive by the Lord’s servant unto the will of God.” The sense conveyed by the A.V. (which is the interpretation given by most modern commentators) is singularly flat and insipid, says Bishop Ellicott. The R.V., which gives the interpretation of Wetstein, Bengel, and others, is equally objectionable, says the same authority, who adopts with but little hesitation the interpretation of Beza. This connects “that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil” with “unto His will,” i.e. unto God’s will. So we get the translation, “And that they may return to soberness out of the snare of the devil, though holden captive by him to do his will.” See R.V. marginal note.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— 2 Timothy 2:23-26
The Duty of the Gospel Teacher.
I. To remember that he is the servant of the Lord (2 Timothy 2:24).—The minister of the gospel is not the servant of man, or of a clique or party, nor is he the servant of the Church excepting so far as in serving the Church he is serving the Lord. His high distinction is to be the servant of the Lord; from Him he receives his commission and authority, and to Him he is accountable. The servant should seek to imitate the spirit and example of his Master.
II. To be careful to avoid themes provocative of useless contention (2 Timothy 2:23).—A spark will raise a conflagration; a single word may light the lurid torch of war. “You may tame the wild beast; the conflagration of the American forest will cease when all the timber and the dry wood is consumed; but you cannot arrest the progress of that cruel word you uttered carelessly yesterday or this morning” (Robertson). Of all men the minister of the gospel should be cautious and circumspect in speech. An indiscreet word may lead to endless contention.
III. To mingle gentleness and patience with sound and faithful instruction (2 Timothy 2:24-25).—The successful teacher must have not only intelligence and ability, but the aptitude that comes from patient study and the gentleness which is the fruit of stern self-discipline. He is to be gentle that he may not be the cause of wrong, and patient so as to endure wrong. To gain influence with others we must practise much self-suppression. The simplest statement of truth will sometimes raise opposition. It should be our aim to allay or disarm opposition, so that the taught may receive with meekness the engrafted word. Truth is most effective in the mind prepared for its reception. The judicious teacher will know when and how to speak.
IV. To aim at the moral rescue of those ensnared in error (2 Timothy 2:25-26).—The gospel teacher has to contend not only with subtle phases of error, but with the devil, the great master-spirit of all error. To rescue man from sin is to snatch him from the clutches of the evil one. Everything depends on the manner and spirit in which the truth is presented, and every possible means should be used to ensure success. Anthony Blane, one of Felix Neff’s earlier converts, was very earnest in winning souls for Christ. The enemies of the gospel were angry at his success, and treated him with scoffs and threats. One night he was followed by a man in a rage, who struck him a violent blow on the head. “May God forgive and bless you!” was Anthony’s quiet and Christian rejoinder. A few days after the same man met him in a narrow road, and stretching out his hand beseechingly, cried in a tremulous voice, “Mr. Blane, forgive me, and let all be over!” Thus did this disciple of Christ, by gentle and peaceful words, make a friend of an enemy.
Lessons.—
1. The best teacher is always anxious to learn.
2. To teach others to profit we must be masters of ourselves.
3. The highest end of teaching is the salvation of others.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
2 Timothy 2:23-26. The Model Preacher—
I. Avoids occasions of strife.
II. Understands the use and power of gentleness.
III. Is thoroughly master of his theme.
IV. Aims at the immediate rescue of men from the thraldom of sin and Satan.