2:24

a slave: Generally, the Greek term rendered “a slave” refers to a person owned by another. (Tit 1:1; Jas 1:1; see study note on Ro 1:1.) Commenting on 2Ti 2:24, one reference work notes: “Although human slavery is a form of degradation, being the slave of God is a mark of great honor.”​—See study note on 1Th 1:9.

a slave of the Lord: The context suggests that “the Lord” refers to Jehovah God. (2Ti 2:19) In the Hebrew Scriptures, worshippers of Jehovah are also referred to as servants, or slaves, of Jehovah. (Jos 1:1; 24:29; Jg 2:8; 2Ki 10:10; 18:12) Paul is instructing Timothy and other overseers about how to handle difficult situations in the congregation. By using this expression, Paul reminds them that they have to submit to God’s instructions and that they have to answer to Him for how they treat fellow believers. The qualities Paul mentions complement the list of qualities required for overseers recorded at 1Ti 3:1-7 and Tit 1:5-9. In a broader sense, every Christian is “a slave of the Lord” and needs to display these qualities.

fight: Although the Greek word for “fight” was generally associated with armed or hand-to-hand combat (Ac 7:26), it can in some contexts refer to fighting verbally (Joh 6:52; Jas 4:1, 2). Here Paul shows that “a slave of the Lord” does not need to join in quarrels or foolish debates. (2Ti 2:14, 16, 23) Rather, he will be more effective if he imitates the mild and gentle manner of the Lord Jesus.​—Mt 11:29; 12:19.

gentle toward all: Paul encourages Timothy to be gentle, or kind, toward all, unlike the quarrelsome and divisive false teachers in Ephesus. (2Ti 2:23) The Greek expression can also be rendered “tactful toward all.” Paul himself had learned to be gentle. Before he became a Christian, Paul was so zealous for the traditions of Judaism that he was far from being gentle, tactful, or kind. He treated Christ’s followers violently and insolently. Yet, Jesus dealt gently with him. (Ac 8:3; 9:1-6; Ga 1:13, 14; 1Ti 1:13) Paul learned, too, that gentleness is not weakness; he never hesitated to speak firmly and frankly against wrongdoing. (1Co 15:34) He refrained from harshness, and he treated fellow believers with tactfulness and love. (1Th 2:8) Paul sought to be as gentle as “a nursing mother.” (See study note on 1Th 2:7.) He wanted Timothy to imitate him in being gentle “toward all,” including disruptive Christians inside the congregation and even opposers outside the congregation. Timothy was to promote, not fights and division, but unity and love.​—2Ti 2:23, 25.

qualified to teach: Paul earlier used the Greek word for “qualified to teach” in a list of requirements for Christian overseers. (See study note on 1Ti 3:2.) Timothy would need to be qualified, or skilled, not only when teaching but also when handling difficult challenges in the congregation. However, the phrase that Paul uses, “a slave of the Lord,” is not restricted to elders; all true Christians need to be skillful teachers.​—Compare Heb 5:12.

showing restraint when wronged: This phrase translates a compound Greek word that means “putting up with evil” without showing resentment. “A slave of the Lord” needs to endure mistreatment patiently, restraining himself from returning evil for evil. (Ro 12:17) Timothy needed this quality when he was wronged by fellow Christians. Paul later says that all Christians can expect to be persecuted. (2Ti 3:12) Logically, then, all would need this quality of “showing restraint when wronged.”​—See study note on Mt 5:39.