“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.”
2 Timothy 2:24 (NLT)
Twice in this passage, Paul warns against foolish arguments. He says they lead to godless behavior and spread like cancer—eating away at the heart, mind, and even the church. Quarreling looks like a sword fight where nobody wins—just wounds on both sides.
Instead of engaging in worthless talk, Paul calls us to remain pure, like vessels in a palace set aside for honorable use. Purity comes from running away from youthful lusts—temporary pleasures that damage us long-term—and chasing righteousness, faith, love, and peace. I like to say it this way: chase fruit. If you’re pursuing the fruit of the Spirit, there’s no time left for sin’s traps.
Paul adds a small but powerful detail: enjoy the companionship of other believers. We don’t need to look alike or act alike. What unites us is calling on the Lord with pure hearts. Companionship with believers is meant to be a joy, not a burden.
Finally, Paul brings it back to the heart of a servant of the Lord: be kind to everyone, teach gently, and be patient with difficult people. We don’t change hearts—God does. When we let Him work, those trapped by lies can come to their senses and escape the devil’s snare. Our role is simple: be gentle with the truth and let God do the convincing.