2 Tim. 2:21. Fit for every good work.
That is, even if the time for action has not yet come, he will nevertheless be fit and ready even for martyrdom or virginity.
2 Tim. 2:22. Flee from youthful lusts.
Youthful lusts — not only the lust of fornication, but every improper desire, love of power, or love of gain. For these passions and fantasies are senseless and characteristic of unstable souls. See how even old age is likened to youth.
2 Tim. 2:22. But hold fast to righteousness.
He calls "righteousness" virtue in general.
2 Tim. 2:22. Faith.
Faith and love genuine and firm toward those whom you love. As if he says: do not be unfaithful and unsteady. Therefore he adds the following.
2 Tim. 2:22. Love, peace with all who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
That is, trust only those who call upon the Lord sincerely and without hypocrisy, who love peace and are not inclined to quarrels; associate with them.
2 Tim. 2:23. Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels.
Do you see how the apostle everywhere steers Timothy away from disputes? This is not because Timothy was unable to refute them; he was able; but because it is utterly useless even to enter into such disputes. Nothing good comes from them except quarreling and hatred. Such disputes, he says, reject as foolish. There are other inquiries, namely, about the truths of Scripture, which should not be rejected, because they do not give birth to strife. See how those err who also quarrel in their inquiries concerning the Scriptures.
2 Tim. 2:24. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be gentle to all.
"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.
2 Tim. 2:24. Apt to teach.
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).
2 Tim. 2:24. Patient.
In particular, this quality must be possessed both in awaiting conversion, and in constant teaching, and in not being quick to excommunicate. See what follows next.
2 Tim. 2:25. With meekness instructing those who oppose.
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.
2 Tim. 2:25. If perhaps God will grant them repentance to the knowledge of the truth.
Perhaps, he says, there will also be some correction. The expression "if perhaps" is used of things unknown or doubtful. Consequently, one must withdraw only from people who are completely incurable; the doubtful ones must be endeavored to correct. Notice how, teaching humility, he did not say: can you not, but: "if perhaps God will grant them repentance to come to their senses." If, he says, anything does happen, it belongs to the Lord; do not be proud. Therefore, even if we persuade someone, let us not think that we ourselves persuaded them.
2 Tim. 2:26. That they may be freed from the snare of the devil.
Understand this not only in relation to teaching, but also in relation to life. People are in the snare of the devil not only in teaching, but also in life. Consequently, without bitterness one must correct also those who waver in life. For just as a sparrow, even if caught by only one part, I mean the foot, is in the power of the one who set the snare, so we too are in the power of the devil, even if we have been caught by him not entirely, I mean in both faith and life, but only in life.
2 Tim. 2:26. Which captured them into his own will.