The contentious man adds fuel to the fires of strife. Like the evil counterpart to holy zeal, he delights to devote himself to conflict. There are things, like the faith once delivered, for which we should earnestly contend (Jude 1:3). But that holy contention is a way to bring about purity and righteous peace. The contentious man’s aim and delight is conflict itself.
21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.