Understanding 2 Timothy 2:25

2 Timothy 2:25 (Interpretive translation)
With gentleness, disciplining those disaffecting themselves; God may have allowed them repentance into the knowledge of the truth.

CSB
instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.

LEB
correcting those who are opposed with gentleness, seeing whether perhaps God may grant them repentance to a knowledge of the truth,

NASB
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

NLT
Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.

When we encounter those dead set against truth, it is not helpful to antagonize them by harsh rebuke.

Remember they are their own worst enemy, and they need enlightenment, not excoriation.

We do not know if by some meaning we can accomplish God's purpose, we do not know that they are lost causes.

We do not encourage someone to change their minds by browbeating them with phrases such as "how can you be so "unenlightened, stupid, ignorant, proud, e.t.c.

What does obtaining or receiving "the knowledge of the truth" mean? Someone goes from not believing the gospel, or not believing the gospel fully, to embracing Christ with love, devotion, and deep seated faith in His good news.