TCH MINI-STUDY 38
RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH
Paul wrote to Timothy Study to shew thyself approved [tested
and found to be acceptable] unto God, a workman [Greek ergates, meaning a toiler, labourer, worker] that needeth not to be ashamed [disgraced
and embarrased at suffering], rightly dividing [Greek orthotomeo, meaning to expound and understand correctly] the word [Greek logos,
meaning Christ and the gospel] of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Bible teachers and scholars often misunderstand and, therefore misinterpret,
this verse. For example, many often misinterpret the word study, the words rightly divide, and the words the word of truth. More often
than not, most interpretations are based on human definitions, and not on the new testamennt Greek or contextual definitions.
First,
the word study is translated from the Greek word spoudazo, which means to use speed, to make an effort, or to be diligent. In the
context of verse 15, the word study does not refer to the Webster's New Collegiate dictionary definition of the application of the
mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge, as many think, but to making a diligent effort. A similar usage of the word study is
found in Paul's letter to the church in Thessalonica: And that ye study [Greek philotimeomai, being eager or earnest to do something,
labour, strive] to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you (1 Thes 4:11). These
two verses do not refer to academic study, but to making an effort, to diligently labour. As a matter of fact, strangely, the scriptures
even warn against excessive academic study, teaching, And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is
no end; and much study [Hebrew lahag, intense mental application], is a weariness of the flesh (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Within the context
of our subject verses, the word study clearly means to make an effort or to strive for.
Second, the words rightly divide are
translated from the Greek word orthotomeo, which means to make a straight cut, to dissect or expound correctly the divine message,
to be more keen, or to be sharper. In the context of our subject verse, to rightly divide means to expound correctly and completely
understand the issue at hand.
Third, the words the word of truth is translated from the Greek word logos, which means something
said, a message, a topic, an account, a tiding, utterance, or word, while the word truth is translated from the Greek word aletheia,
which means truth, truly, verity, or true as in not concealing. What does the word of truth refer to? Paul defined the word of truth
for us in his letter to the saints in Ephesus: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we
should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded
toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath
purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which
are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to
the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first
trusted in Christ [and salvation through faith in Him]. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel
of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:3-13). James
also wrote, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh
not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted
word [of truth, the gospel], which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves (James 1:19-22). As James explains here, it is not the bible that is able to save your souls, but the gospel message of Christ
and salvation through faith in Him. Referring to the preaching of the gospel, and not the bible, Paul wrote the Corinthian church,But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers [of the gospel message] of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities,
in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering,
by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth [the gospel], by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on
the right hand and on the left (2 Corinthians 6:4-7).
In order to best understand what Paul was attempting to convey to Timothy,
it is essential to examine the context of Paul's letter. In the verses immediately before our subject verse, Paul explained to Timothy
that there is a price, in fact, many extreme prices, to pay for preaching the gospel message of Christ and salvation through faith
in Him, as Paul had often personally experienced himself. Paul told Timothy that preaching the gospel requires enduring hardship (2
Tim 2:2), is in essence a war (2 Tim 2:4), involves striving (2 Tim 2:5), involves labor (2 Tim 2:6), involves suffering trouble (2
Tim 2:9), involves enduring all things (2 Tim 2:10), involves suffering (2 Tim 2:12), results in periodic unbelief (2 Tim 2:13), and,
lastly, not striving or arguing about words (2 Tim 2:14). Most of the time, preaching the gospel will cost us much pain and suffering,
as the scriptures clearly teach, and as Paul clearly testifies to.
Paul desired to encourage Timothy in his ministry of preaching
the gospel, and the hardships and suffering Paul knew Timothy had, and would have in the future, encounter. In his letter to his beloved
spiritual son in the faith of Christ, Timothy, Paul wrote, Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others
also. Thou therefore endure hardness [Greek, kakopatheo, to undergo hardship, be afflicted, endure affliction, or suffer trouble],
as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:1-3). It becomes clear here that Paul is referring to the affliction and suffering
resulting from preaching the word of truth, the gospel message of God.
Referring to himself, and reminding Timothy of what he
has experienced, Paul later adds, Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
Wherein I suffer trouble, as if [one were considered to be] an evil doer, even unto bonds [as a prisoner]; but the [gospel] word [message] of
God is not bound [prevented from achieving God's purpose]. Therefore I endure all things [pain, suffering, hardships, deprivations] for
the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory (2 Timothy 2:8-10).
Study
to show yourself approved of God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth might be better translated
as make a steady, earnest, energetic application and effort to explain in careful detail and correctly understand the gospel and all
of its requirements [which Paul is teaching can and does certainly include affliction and suffering], an effort for which the laborer
for Christ will not be ashamed, nor be considered unacceptable to God the Father. In this particular context, Paul is exhorting Timothy
to make the necessary effort to understand and accept that preaching the gospel will result in various and extreme forms of suffering,
as it had with Paul, and that this suffering for Christ and the gospel message should not be considered shameful by any worker, nor
is suffering for the sake of the gospel, unacceptable to God. In fact, Paul teaches that those who suffer and endure hardship for
the sake of Christ and the preaching the gospel are described as good soldiers for Jesus Christ. AMEN!
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
NO COMDENATION TO THEM WHICH
ARE IN CHRIST JESUS
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of
sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful
flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit
the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind
is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be"
(Romans 8:1-7).
WOE TO THEM THAT CALL EVIL GOOD,
AND GOOD EVIL
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for
light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and
prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify
the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and
the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast
away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the
Holy One of Israel"
(Isaiah 5:20-24).
BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good
fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth
good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall
know them”
(Matthew 7:15-20).
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I
will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded:
they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that
contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy
right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee”
(Isaiah 41:10-13).
"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first
commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater
than these"
(Mark 12:29-31).
"And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and
his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto
her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you,do it"
(John 2:1-5).
“Preach the word [of truth, the gospel message]; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering
and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables"
(2 Timothy 4:2-4).
