A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing – and this isn’t just the case for folks who rely on Google searches for medical advice. No, young seminary students are all too fond of debating all kinds of theological minutiae, most of which have little to no interest to the people in the pews. But even though disagreements about the exact order of events surrounding the second coming of Christ, or about the use of psalms as opposed to hymns in worship may seem harmless enough, they have in fact caused great divisions within and between congregations of believers.

So it’s no wonder that Paul told Timothy to avoid unnecessary quarrels (v. 14) and irreverent babble (v. 16). Instead, he urged his young friend to keep the main thing the main thing, to work hard at understanding and preaching the Word so that he would not have to be ashamed in the presence of God (v. 15). Moreover, avoiding such shame also involved keeping himself from “youthful passions,” and thus from anything dishonorable (vv. 21-22).

No, instead of giving himself over to anger and quarreling, Paul urged Timothy to pursue “righteousness, faith, love and peace,” for that’s what is involved in calling on the Lord from a pure heart (v. 22). In the face of the fiercest disputes, the true follower of Christ must not only be kind and gentle toward his opponents, but also willing to endure evil at their hands (vv. 24-25).

For isn’t that what Paul did, as he found himself in prison because he kept preaching the gospel (v. 9)? In fact, isn’t that what Jesus Himself did, as He went to the cross? And didn’t God show the same kind of patience and grace to sinners like us, people who were at first ensnared by the devil but whom God nevertheless granted repentance leading to knowledge of the truth of Christ (vv. 25-26)?

Yes, God has been so kind and gentle toward His enemies. So, shouldn’t we follow His example? And shouldn’t we pray that He would treat our enemies with the same grace He has given to us?

II Timothy 2:1-26 (ESV)

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,
9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!
10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful– for he cannot deny himself.
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.