It is easy to read past II Timothy 2:24, “the Lord’s bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to all”, and not think much of it other than that it is a very general admonition, which everyone should know: “be kind to all.” Sure; we should all do that. But if you really stop and think about what that is saying, it is quite a challenge: we are to be kind to ALL!

— this means we are to be kind to our friends and those we like; easy enough.

— but it also means we are to be kind to those we do NOT like, or who do not like us or act kindly towards us.

— it means we are to be kind to those who really “get on our nerves.” We are never to lose patience with them, but are continually to be KIND to them!

— it means we are to be kind to those whose customs and beliefs and practices we do not understand – those to whom many of us typically act in a prejudiced manner. Be kind to them instead.

— it means we are to be kind to our enemies – like Jesus was when He healed one of the very men who had come to arrest Him.

— it means we are to be kind to those who disagree with us. In fact, this phrase “kind to all” is couched in the context of how the servant of God will not be quarrelsome, but kind – so it is speaking especially of how we treat each other in disagreements and controversies. Even when we disagree with others, we are to be KIND to them. What does that mean? Perhaps it means among other things, that we do not represent their positions unfairly, or attribute evil motives to them without cause; or that we never allow the disagreement to turn into a personal attack, or that even if we disagree, we do it in as nice a way as possible, and even look for an opportunity to minister to them personally – being KIND to them – even as we disagree with them?

One thing is certain: no one you know is exempt from the treatment this verse commands, for it says we are to be “kind to ALL”!