25. instructing—Greek, "disciplining," instructing with correction, which those who deal in "uninstructive" or "undisciplined questions" need (see on 2Ti 2:23; 1Ti 1:20).
those that oppose themselves—Greek, "oppositely affected"; those of a different opinion.
if … peradventure—Greek, "if at any time."
repentance—which they need as antecedent to the full knowledge (so the Greek for 'acknowledgment') of the truth" (1Ti 2:4), their minds being corrupted (2Ti 3:8), and their lives immoral. The cause of the spiritual ignorance which prompts such "questions" is moral, having its seat in the will, not in the intellect (Joh 7:17). Therefore repentance is their first need. That, not man, but God alone can "give" (Ac 5:31).