14. Contentions With a Purpose—[2 Timothy 2:11-14 quoted.] What does that mean? It means that there may be contentions over words and over ideas, but they should be to some purpose, they should be to break down the stubbornness and the opposition that is in human hearts in order that their spirits may be softened and subdued, so that when the seeds of truth are dropped into the soil of the heart, they may take root there (Manuscript 13, 1888).{7BC 917.7}

14. Diskussioner med et fortsæt.--[2 Tim. 2,11-14 citeret.] Hvad betyder dette? Det byder at der kan være diskussioner over ord og tanker, men de bør være med et formål, de bør kunne nedbryde hovmod og den modstand som er i menneskehjerter for at deres ånd må blødgøres og underkues, så at sandhedens frø, der er sået i hjertet, kan få rod der. (MS 13, 1888).