Fathers

2 Timothy 2

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You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules. The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News, in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained. Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful; for he can’t deny himself.” Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear. Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness, and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus: men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.” Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work. Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient, in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.

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What the Fathers say

2 Timothy 2:25

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves." For he that teaches must be especially careful to do it with meekness. For a soul that wishes to learn cannot gain any useful instruction from harshness and contention. For when it would apply, being thus thrown into perplexity, it will learn nothing. He who would gain any useful knowledge ought above all things to be well disposed towards his teacher, and if this be not previously attained, nothing that is requisite or useful can be accomplished. …

Homily on 2 Timothy 6 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

With strictness and scolding the soul cannot absorb anything useful. For he who wishes to learn something useful must first of all be well-disposed toward the teacher. But how can one be well-disposed toward a person who is angry and scolds? Why then does the apostle say: "reject a heretic after a first and second admonition"? There he speaks of an incorrigible person, one who is known to be incurably ill; but here the discussion is not about those who are already incurable, as is evident from what follows. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

Correcting challengers with gentleness, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's snare, having been captured by him to do his will. correcting challengers with gentleness. For this is most necessary. For often he who has been given advice ten times and has not listened will obey another who gives advice once, clearly the first ten counselors are working against their own interest. that God may grant them repentance. …

Commentary On 2 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

But then in the correction and repression of other men's sins, one must take heed that in rebuking another he does not lift up himself. The sentence of the apostle must be remembered: "Let one who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall." Let the voice of chiding sound outwardly in tones of terror, let the spirit of love and gentleness be maintained within.… So then you must neither consent to evil, so as to approve of it, nor be negligent, so as not to reprove it, nor be proud, so as to reprove it in a tone of insult.

Sermons On New Testament Lessons 38.20 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

With modesty admonishing those who resist the truth: because one who admonishes should be moderate: you who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness (Gal 6:1). If peradventure God may give them repentance: he gives the reason why he should avoid these things, and he answers a tacit question. For someone could say: they resist the truth and should be corrected. I answer that God the Father is able to lead them to repentance, which is something for which a just man should strive. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗