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Correcting Others Through Scripture and Humility

Correcting others through Scripture and humility is a principle emphasized in various biblical texts, particularly in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul instructs Timothy to correct those who oppose the truth "in gentleness" [1, 2]. This approach acknowledges that the ultimate change of heart, leading to repentance and knowledge of the truth, is a gift from God [1, 2, 11].

Humility is presented as a foundational Christian grace [6]. Christ himself is the ultimate example of humility, as seen in passages like Philippians 2:5-8, where he "emptied himself" [5, 6]. This state of mind is pleasing to God and fosters tranquility and patience under trials [6]. Humility is also linked to receiving more grace and being exalted by God [5, 6]. The psalmist notes that God regards the humble [5].

When engaging in correction, the manner is as important as the message. The instruction to Timothy specifies "meekness" or "gentleness" when instructing those who "oppose themselves" [11]. This implies that those in error may be ignorant or self-contradictory in their beliefs, and therefore require a tender approach, even if they are obstinate [11]. The goal is not to win an argument but to facilitate a divine work of repentance [1, 2, 11]. John Gill, in his commentary on 2 Timothy 2:25, explains that "repentance here designs a repentance of errors in principle, a change of mind, and better notions of truth" [11].

The concept of humility extends to recognizing one's own fallibility. The author of Hebrews notes that a high priest is "able to be gentle to those ignorant and going astray, since himself also is compassed with infirmity" [3]. This suggests that an awareness of one's own weaknesses should temper any attempt to correct others. This self-awareness prevents arrogance and promotes a compassionate approach.

The purpose of correction, when undertaken with humility and gentleness, is restorative. It aims for the conversion of sinners and the teaching of God's ways, as expressed in Psalm 51:13: "Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you" [4]. This aligns with the idea that a simple act of Christian kindness can lead a hostile person to repentance and restore fellowship [12].

Christian conduct, in general, is characterized by humility and love [7, 9]. Matthew Henry emphasizes that Christians should be "faithful friends to all Christians, and sworn enemies to all sin," and that love is the "law of Christ's kingdom" [9]. This framework of love and unity should inform any act of correction. Furthermore, Christians are called to bear the infirmities of the weak, showing patience and pity rather than judgment [10].

The Scriptures themselves are the authoritative source for correction and instruction, being "given by inspiration of God" and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness [8]. Christ himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [8]. Therefore, any correction should be grounded in and guided by the Word of God.

Sources

  1. 2 Timothy “in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, -- 2 Timothy 2:25”
  2. II Timothy “II Timothy 2:25 (LEB) — correcting those who are opposed with gentleness, seeing whether perhaps God may grant them repentance to a knowledge of the truth,”
  3. Hebrews “Hebrews 5:2 (YLT) — able to be gentle to those ignorant and going astray, since himself also is compassed with infirmity;”
  4. Psalms “Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you. -- Psalms 51:13”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humility — A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Ch”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
  9. Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4:2: Here the apostle proceeds to more particular exhortations. Two he enlarges upon in this chapter: - To unity an love, purity and holiness, which Christians should very much study. We do not walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called if we be not faithful friends to all Christians, and sworn enemies to all sin. This section contains the exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, with the proper means and motives to promote them. Nothing is pressed upon us more earnestly in the scriptures than this. Love is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of h”
  10. Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 15:1: The apostle here lays down two precepts, with reasons to enforce them, showing the duty of the strong Christian to consider and condescend to the weakest. I. We must bear the infirmities of the weak, Rom 15:1. We all have our infirmities; but the weak are more subject to them than others - the weak in knowledge or grace, the bruised reed and the smoking flax. We must consider these; not trample upon them, but encourage them, and bear with their infirmities. If through weakness they judge and censure us, and speak evil of us, we must bear with them, pity them, and ”
  11. 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 2:25: In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves,.... To the truth; resist it and deny it; or contradict some other tenets and principles of theirs, or the Scriptures, which they themselves allowed to be the word of God, and the rule of faith and practice, and so are self-convinced and self-condemned. These are to be instructed, being ignorant, and in a tender and gentle manner, though very perverse and obstinate. If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth: repentance here designs a repentance of errors in principle, a cha”
  12. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 12:20: 12:20-21 A simple act of Christian kindness can often bring a hostile person to repentance before God and restore fellowship between people.”
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