2 Timothy 2:25

Meekness. Compare Matt. 5:5. The “servant of the Lord” will teach others as He did. The unenlightened were thus captivated by Christ’s willingness to meet the common man on his own ground. Although Jesus spoke with earnestness and authority, He never embarrassed or coerced His listeners. He gently varied His presentations of truth to suit His hearers. The educated and the ignorant alike were drawn by His winsomeness and love, because they felt that Christ identified Himself with their wants and interests.

Those that oppose themselves. That is, those that set themselves in opposition to truth.

Peradventure. Or, “perhaps.”

Will give. Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 10) between the readings “may give” and “will give.”

Repentance. Gr. metanoia, “a change of mind” (see on Matt. 3:2). Instead of opposing the principles of the gospel, as formerly, those who experience this change of mind respond with their whole being to the entreaties of God’s Spirit and of the “gentle,” “patient,” and meek “servant of the Lord” (see v. 24).

Acknowledging. Or, “full knowledge,” “correct knowledge.” Those who thus repent have witnessed, in the lives of Christian teachers, the actual results of obeying the truth. They recognize truth to be the only satisfactory answer to man’s problems.