A very wise man gave some very good advice to a young preacher of the Word of God. The wise man was the apostle Paul, and the young preacher was Timothy. The advice was given in 2 Timothy 2:15. What was said was simple, yet profound, short, yet deep in meaning and best of all, it still applies today. The advice was this, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Let us closely examine this advice. Step one here that Paul gave Timothy, and that we need to follow also, is that we study. Study is also translated as give diligence, be diligent. It is the translation of the word meaning be diligent or earnest.
Secondly, he was to study to “show thyself” – meaning to present. He was to present himself as distinguished from others. This means that studying and presenting oneself is the responsibility solely of each individual Christian. No one can do it for you.
Thirdly, he was to study to show himself “approved unto God.” Approved by God, literally comes from a word meaning tested by trial. This stands in opposition to being reprobate and condemned.
Fourthly, we are to be workman, workers in God’s kingdom.
Fifthly, we are to work as to not be ashamed. This means that we are to do work that we are not to be ashamed of, as opposed to being deceitful workers.
Sixthly, he told him to be rightly dividing the word of truth. There are some very meaningful things included in this phrase. So Bengel in his commentary here took Paul to mean that Timothy may make ready a straight way for “the word of truth,” and may himself walk straight forward according to this line, turning neither to the right nor to the left, “teaching no other doctrine.” After all, as pointed out in Revelation 22:18-19, if we add to or take from the Word of God, we fall under the curse. We must rightly divide the Word also in the sense of properly interpreting it. We must keep in mind that the Old Testament and the New Testament are not both in force, neither can they ever be. The Hebrews writer pointed out that God took away the first that He might establish the second. It, the New Testament, is a better covenant established on better promises.
So in conclusion, let us rightly divide the Word as Paul told Timothy. Let us study to show ourselves approved unto God so that we are workers who do not need to be ashamed of what we do in God’s service. May we rightly divide and properly handle the Word of God, the Word of Truth.
