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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"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" (Tit. ii. 15); and again, "Let no man despise thy youth" (1 Tim. iv. 12): and again, "Rebuke them Sharply"? (Tit. i. 13.) Because this is consistent with meekness. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
"Courteous," that is, meek. Why then does the apostle say, "rebuke with all authority and strictly" (Tit. 2:15), and again, "let no one despise your youth" (1 Tim. 4:12)? Because a strong rebuke is especially moving when it is made with meekness. One can sooner move with meekness than put to shame with strictness. For those who wish to learn. For he himself says: "A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject" (Tit. 3:10). …
Ignatius of Antioch
And pray ye without ceasing in behalf of other men; for there is hope of the repentance, that they may attain to God. For "cannot he that falls arise again, and he that goes astray return?" Permit them, then, to be instructed by you. Be ye therefore the ministers of God, and the mouth of Christ. For thus saith the Lord, "If ye take forth the precious from the vile, ye shall be as my mouth." Be ye humble in response to their wrath; oppose to their blasphemies your earnest prayers; while they go astray, stand ye stedfast in the faith. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Since there are so many deceptions and errors of wicked and perverse men clamoring against wisdom, how great is the need of a clean and single eye in order to find the path to wisdom! To escape all of these is the same as to reach the utmost security of peace and the unchangeable abode of wisdom. The noise of wranglers is of little account unless a man becomes a hindrance even to himself. …
Thomas Aquinas
The servant of the Lord, i.e., a person dedicated to the Lord's service, must not wrangle: not quarrelsome (1 Tim 3:3). But be mild toward all men: anyone who desires to dispute must be mild: he will teach the meek his ways (Ps 24:9). For meekness is a virtue that restrains anger, which disturbs the judgment of reason, whereas calm reason is required in questions and judgments of truth: learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart (Matt 11:29). …
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