Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 24

Paul tells Timothy to Study and Know the Word of God Part 2

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.  KJV

So many people believe that after you accept our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ that this then means you coast on through this life with no more problems or worries or troubles and everything we need materially and spiritually from God the Father will be (as if by magic) rained down upon us by God the Holy Spirit, however, Paul the Apostle throws a monkey wrench into this type of unfruitful thinking by the believer with these words he wrote to Brother Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) (KJV). Earthly school was never something I particularly enjoyed, even though I was pretty good at it. I wanted to be done with school for good after I graduated from college and that is just what I did. Now, what a shock it was to me when I discovered that there was a school of divinity that every redeemed, regenerated, and reborn child of God is automatically enrolled into by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Himself and that there is no completing this school ever here on the earth or in heaven with Him for all eternity.

The English word 'study' Paul uses at the beginning of this verse is translated by the Greek word spoudazō meaning to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study. The meaning of this word is the very reason why I purposed to be done with earthly school after college, however, the very moment I was energized, excited, and embraced by God the Holy Spirit I was given by Him a desire to know my Lord Jesus Christ intimately/closely and just like a new born earthly baby gyrates and moves every part of his/her little tiny body when they see their Mother's breast or the baby bottle filled with milk, so was and still am I hungry for the Word of God and all the treasure therein, just as the Apostle Peter declared with these words, "Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved." (1 Peter 2:2) (Contemporary English Version). The little English phrase 'to shew' is translated by two Greek words paristēmi paristanō meaning to exhibit, proffer, (specifically) recommend, (figuratively) substantiate or prove. The English word 'approved' is translated by the Greek word dokimos meaning properly acceptable, that is, approved: - tried. In other words, every true Christian should have a desire to know the Word of God and before God the Father have their authenticity approved and substantiated by Him being acceptable in His sight. We should not make our study of God's Holy Word to prove ourselves to other people, but because we love our Lord Jesus Christ and want to be pleasing to Him.

Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about studying the Word of God to shew thyself approved unto God, "Not unto men, as pleasing them; for such who study to please men, are not the servants of Christ; and sometimes those that are approved to and by men, are disapproved of by God and Christ: but unto God, showing all fidelity and uprightness; speaking out the Gospel openly, and freely, with all sincerity, as in the sight of God; commending themselves to Him, and to every man's conscience, by manifestation of the truth; and such will hear, 'Well done, good and faithful servant' another day." The little English phrase 'a workman' is translated by the Greek word ergatēs meaning a toiler; figuratively a teacher: - laborer. The long English phrase 'that needeth not to be ashamed' is translated by one rather long Greek word anepaischuntos meaning not ashamed, that is, (by implication) irreprehensible: - that neededth not to be ashamed. In other words, Paul wants Brother Timothy to be one who works strenuously at the study of the Word of God laboring and praying over it, so that he would not be made ashamed by his lack of basic and even deep meaning and revelation from the Word of God. Here is what Vincent's Word Study says concerning this, "A workman whose work does not disgrace him." The Apostle Paul said this of himself in this regard to the Philippian Church, "I honestly expect and hope that I will never do anything to be ashamed of. Whether I live or die, I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ." (Philippians 1:20) (Contemporary English Version).

The little English phrase 'rightly dividing' is translated by the Greek word orthotomeō (used this one time only in  the entire New Testament) meaning to make a straight cut, that is, (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message): - rightly divide. In other words, it was Timothy's and it is our responsibility to lay out the truth of the Word of God without softening it where it is hard or hardening it where it is soft, but only like a seamstress who makes a straight cut in their fabric or cloth and disgards every material cut that is off or crooked, so must the Expositor of the Word of God expound it correctly without waver. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning rightly dividing the Word of Truth, "The word here rendered 'rightly dividing,' occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, 'to cut straight, to divide right;' and the allusion here may be to a steward who makes a proper distribution to each one under his care of such things as his office and their necessities require. Some have supposed that there is an allusion here to the Jewish priest, cutting or dividing the sacrifice into proper parts; others, that the allusion is to the scribes dividing the law into sections; others, to a carver distributing food to the guests at a feast. Robinson (Lexicon) renders it, 'rightly proceeding as to the Word of Truth;' that is, rightfully and skillfully teaching the Word of Truth. The idea seems to be, that the minister of the Gospel is to make a proper distribution of that word, adapting his instructions to the circumstances and wants of his hearers, and giving to each that which will be fitted to nourish the soul for heaven."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…