Bible Strands
2 Timothy 2:24
And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy from prison, directing him on the required conduct for a Lord’s servant amid ongoing disputes and opposition.
The words — δοῦλον (doulon) translates literally as bond-servant, and ἤπιον (ēpion) means gentle or kind, establishing the baseline character expected.
The thread — The instruction connects directly to the command to reject quarrelsome speculation in 2 Timothy 2:23, the directive to gently reprove opponents in 2 Timothy 2:25, and the parallel exhortations in Titus 3:2 and James 1:19.
Why it lands — The text explicitly commands a Lord’s servant to avoid quarreling, show kindness to all people, remain capable of teaching, and exercise forbearance when confronting those who oppose the truth.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
Cross-references
- Titus 3:2 to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.
- James 1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
- Titus 1:7 As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children.
- 1 Timothy 3:2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
- Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
- Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
- Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
- Colossians 3:13 Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
- 1 Timothy 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.