2 Timothy 2:24

And the Lord’s slave ¹  must not engage in heated disputes ²  but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

biblegateway 2Ti 2:24

And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

biblegateway 2Ti 2:24

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

biblegateway 2Ti 2:24

The Lord’s servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people.

biblegateway 2Ti 2:24

God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool,

SABDAweb 2Ti 2:24

For it is not right for the Lord’s servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong,

bibleoremus 2Ti 2:24

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient,

biblegateway 2Ti 2:24

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,

biblegateway 2Ti 2:24

And the Lord’s slave ¹  must not engage in heated disputes ²  but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

¹ tn Traditionally, “servant” or “bondservant.” Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times…in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v.). The most accurate translation is “bondservant” (sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος), in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.

¹ sn Undoubtedly the background for the concept of being the Lord’s slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament scriptures. For a Jew this concept did not connote drudgery, but honor and privilege. It was used of national Israel at times (Isa 43:10), but was especially associated with famous OT personalities, including such great men as Moses (Josh 14:7), David (Ps 89:3; cf. 2 Sam 7:5, 8) and Elijah (2 Kgs 10:10); all these men were “servants (or slaves) of the Lord.”

² tn Grk “must not fight” or “must not quarrel.” The Greek verb is related to the noun translated “infighting” in v. 23.