The highest possible aspiration anyone may have is to be a servant of the Lord with the requisite character and perspective of this holy calling. Second Tim 2.24–26 describes all this as the spiritual bullseye for us.
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Who Is the Lord’s Servant?
Rich in biblical significance, this title is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. A “servant” (by itself) includes the idea of “voluntary servitude by an individual who preferred service in some notable household to independent work” (ISBE). In a general religious context, it denotes a worshiper of a particular [supposed] deity. Thus, “a servant of the LORD” is one who is utterly and exclusively devoted to the true and living God, keeping His commandments, and seeking His glory above all other things.
Old Testament prophecy so characterizes the Messiah. See Isaiah 42.1–4 for a cameo. The New Testament interprets this as supremely fulfilled in Jesus (Matt 12.14–21), but not in a way that completely excludes others. Paul’s usage here narrowly applies to Christian ministers like Timothy, and more broadly to Christians generally (1 Cor 7.22)—all imitators of the ultimate Servant of the Lord, and thus servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus this counsel is especially for church leaders with formal teaching responsibility, yet not without relevance and application to every member.
What Are His Traits?
Here, the word “must” (Gk. dei) is a verb of moral obligation and calling. It is used of “something that should happen because of [its] being fitting” (BDAG). It implicitly recognizes the possibility of shortcoming and sin in the one addressed, and it calls to reformation and attainment of an ideal. The exhortation is an important means of further sanctification.
Because aspirants are apt to be one (bad) way and not another (good way), this godly counsel instructs us first what not to be, and then gives a short list of positive attributes in the ideal servant of the Lord.
1) He must not be contentious. The verb “strive” (AV) is related to the noun “strifes” (v. 23) that arise from distraction by “foolish and unlearned questions.” Not all debate is prohibited (cf. Acts 9.29; 15.2, 7; 17.17; 25.8; Jude 3, etc.), but that which is needlessly contentious and unprofitable. He must mortify any tendency to relish controversy for its own sake or to advance his own petty opinions. The proud man loves to triumph by superior wit, thus exalting himself, even in trivialities. The godly man only engages for the Lord’s glory and the other man’s good.
2) He must rather be meek, capable, and patient. This trilogy of virtues (strengths) is urged. First, “gentle” (Gk. epion) means having and showing a kindly or tender nature (LBSL). He must show himself universally friendly and convincingly benevolent so that people do not feel threatened even when disagreeing with him. Second, “apt to teach” is a one-word adjective in the original (Gk. didaktikon) which means above average ability to impart skills or knowledge to someone (LBSL). Here, Christian doctrine and practice is in view, the theological knowledge and life skills required in following Christ in fellowship with His people. Third, “patience” is absolutely indispensable. The original adjective (Gk. anexikakon) has the sense of one who is forbearing, tolerant, not easily annoyed, and willing to suffer insult and injury without resentment (BDAG). Only a possessor of these three strengths will be able to persevere faithfully in “correcting his opponents with gentleness” (v. 25 ESV), since they often provoke by their opposition to truth.
In this way the “servant of the Lord” images the Lord he serves. It is a travesty when an orthodox teacher contradicts by his bad character the evangelical doctrine of love that he preaches. We can only hope to enlighten others by word and example. This combination is the most persuasive.
What Is His Hope?
However excellent the servant of the Lord with his knowledge, skills, and truth, the power to convert unbelievers and edify saints still resides in heaven alone. To trust in oneself for spiritual results is spiritually counterproductive and idolatrous besides. Only the Lord can save sinners and build His church.
No wise worker loses sight of the goal of his labor. The Lord’s servant is not a good man for its own sake, nor does he spend long hours listening to darkened minds and teaching them divine wisdom without expectation. He craves results and he looks to the Lord for them. The spiritual recovery of those in bondage to the Devil is a most dramatic and representative instance of the ministry’s desirable effects which include discipleship in the church.
Competent faithfulness in the Lord’s servant does not guarantee conversions and a big church. That all depends on the Lord’s sovereign pleasure. Yet a servant works with prayerful hope, knowing that God uses such means to advance His kingdom in men’s hearts and in the world. Of those sinners with the benefit of knowing and hearing such a servant of the Lord as has been described, Paul wrote,
God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will (ESV).
Thus, they are objects of our pity as the Devil’s victims and subjects of our hope as potential vessels of God’s mighty mercy. As it pleases Him, the Lord can make them change their minds, believe the truth, wake up spiritually, and live as free people in Christ, just like we do. So let us pray for ourselves and our hearers. Ω