Not to be contentious for to be no brawlers, A.V.; to be for but, A.V.; toward for unto, A.V. To speak evil of no man ( μηδένα βλασφημεῖν). Probably especially pointed in the first place at a natural tendency of oppressed Christians to speak evil of their rulers (2 Peter 2:10; Jud 10), but extended into a general precept which might be especially needful for the rough and turbulent Cretans.
Not to be contentious ( ἀμάχους εἴναι); as 1 Timothy 3:3, note. To be gentle ( ἐπιεικεῖς); coupled, as here, with ἀμάχους in 1 Timothy 3:3. Showing ( ἐνδεικνυμένους); a word of frequent occurrence in St.
Paul's vocabulary (Romans 2:15; Romans 9:17.22; Ephesians 2:7, etc.; see above, Titus 2:10, note). Meekness ( πραότητα); another Pauline word (1 Corinthians 4:21; 2 Corinthians 10:1; Galatians 5:23, etc.
; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:25). The precept is given its widest extension by the double addition of "all" and "to all men." The roughness, or want of courtesy, of others is no excuse for the want of meekness in those who are the disciples of him who was meek and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:29).
All men, whatever their station, the highest or the lowest, are to receive meek and gentle treatment from the Christian.