2 Timothy 2:25, 26 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
These verses describe how Timothy or others like him should deal with opposition or with opponents. The basic idea is that they should be gently instructed that is taught or trained with meekness. This is in contrast to the arrogant and argumentative approach that he might be tempted to fall into. The hope is that by this means God will grant them repentance or change their minds, which will lead them to a knowledge of the truth. Once they come to their senses in this way they will escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. This is a very optimistic approach when we consider that Paul clearly has in mind people who are stubborn and lack repentance, who are ignorant of the truth, senseless and trapped by the Devil, who is currently getting them to do his will. However, we cannot simply give up on people straight away. We must do all we can to win them back.
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