John Stott: ‘The combination of unbiblical speculations and uncharitable polemics has done great damage to the cause of Christ.’
1. Avoid foolish controversies.
– 2:23. Paul has said this sort of thing repeatedly throughout the Pastoral Epistles – 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; 6:4, 20; 2 Tim. 2:14, 16; Tit. 3:9. It is obvious that there are religious controversies which are necessary, and it is equally obvious that there are religious controversies which are pointless.
2. Be gentle, not quarrelsome.
– 2:24. Compare Matt. 11:28-29 and Matt. 23:27.
– ‘winsome’ is not the only word in the evangelical dictionary – Gal. 2:11-14. There is a place for a clear stand in controversy.
– John Newton’s ‘habitual tenderness’. See James 1:20 and 1 Peter 3:15. Charles Simeon would constantly go back to 2 Timothy 2:24 to remind himself that ‘the servant of the Lord must not strive’ (or be quarrelsome).
3. Recognise that repentance is a gift of God.
– 2:25-26. The Bible teaches that repentance and faith come from God – Acts 5:31; 11:18; 16:14. Sinner repent but God enables us to repent. Calvin hesitates to apply Matt. 7:6: ‘We must never reject the ignorant as dogs or swine. However much they resist God and go against him, until we have proved that they are past correction and that they are stubbornly set in their opposition, we must not close the door to them but must try instead to win them over.’
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