2:24 strive. “Strive” means to be quarrelsome, seeking to change the mind of one’s opponent by arguing with him. That approach will not win him over, even if he is unable to answer the arguments. “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” We are told to “contend for the faith” (Jude 3), but that doesn’t mean to be contentious about the faith.

2:25 repentance. “Repentance” involves changing of one’s mind (literal meaning of metanoia). If this is genuine, it will be a Spirit-inspired conviction, not a superficial submission to better arguments. We must be “ready always to give an answer,…a reason of the hope,” but this should be provided “in meekness and in fear” (I Peter 3:15).

2:26 taken captive. This verse is rendered in various ways by different expositors. Probably it should be understood somewhat as follows: “And that they may be recovered from the devil’s snare, having been recaptured by [the servant of the Lord] to do [God’s] will.”