The word for arguing is the word dialogismos . It's the same word from which we get our word dialog. There are two parts of this command. First, we are not to argue with each other. You and I both know that not much can be accomplished in an argument.
Tempers flare, good judgment disappears, and no one listens.
We know that many people have turned away from the gospel because they got tired of watching Christians fight. We need to adopt the philosophy of Jesus. He chose to remain silent when accused rather than give his opponents cause for action. We would be very wise to adopt the posture of silence as well rather than strike out. It is better to be mistreated than to turn people away from the gospel of truth.