Handling the Word of Truth: Accurately Dividing 2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 Rightly Dividing The Word

Rightly Dividing The Word There are 9 admonitions in chapter 2 of Paul s final epistle Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2:1) Commit these things to faithful men (2:2) Endure hardship (2:3) Consider that words that he spoke (2:7) Remember that Jesus was raised from the dead according to his gospel (2:8) Remind them of these things (vss. 11-13) Not to dispute about words Cf (2:16) But avoid godless and empty chatter (vs 16)

How do we handle accurately the word of truth?

Rightly Dividing The Word To handle accurately means to cut straight orthotomeo to teach the truth correctly and directly (Thayer) to teach the word of truth correctly (Louw & Nida) to cut straight, to set forth truthfully, without perversion or distraction (Mounce) To guide the word of truth alone a straight path without being turned aside by wordy debates of impious talk (BDAG) To teach the word aright Expound it soundly, shape rightly, and preach fearlessly

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:6 LSB) The righteousness of the blameless will make his way straight, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. (Proverbs 11:5 LSB)

Rightly Dividing The Word How To Handle The Word of Truth Accurately? We must be diligent (2:15) {spoudazo}- To be especially conscientious in discharging an obligation, be zealous/eager, take pains, make every effort, be conscientious

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and choosing sure; for in doing these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been strengthened in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has indicated to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. (2 Peter 1:10 15 LSB)

But according to His promise we are looking for NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are looking for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, (2 Peter 3:13 14 LSB)

Rightly Dividing The Word How To Handle The Word of Truth Accurately? We must be diligent (2:15) Diligent in knowledge of the word of truth Biblical knowledge does not come naturally. No one ever learned God s will naturally. One must be diligent in searching the word of truth And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. (Acts 17:10 11 LSB)

Rightly Dividing The Word How To Handle The Word of Truth Accurately? We must be diligent (2:15) To present yourself approved of God Not to present yourself approved to men

I marvel that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel, which is really not another, only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to the gospel we have proclaimed to you, let him be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is proclaiming to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a slave of Christ. (Galatians 1:6 10 LSB)

Rightly Dividing The Word How To Handle The Word of Truth Accurately? We must be diligent (2:15) Timothy as a workman has been entrusted with the gospel (2:2) For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. (2 Timothy 1:12 LSB) which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. (2 Timothy 1:12 ESV)

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our entrance to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much struggle. For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with a flattering word, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed God is witness nor seeking glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. In this way, having fond affection for you, we were pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become beloved to us. (1 Thessalonians 2:1 8 LSB)

Rightly Dividing The Word How To Handle The Word of Truth Accurately? We must be diligent (2:15) Timothy was to pass down and commit the gospel to others (2:2) And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2 LSB) Timothy was given three metaphors of workman (2 Tim 2:3-6) Soldier (2:3-4; Eph 6:10-18) Athlete (2:5; 1 Cor 9:19-27) Farmer (2:6; Jas 5:7-8)

Rightly Dividing The Word How To Handle The Word of Truth Accurately? We must be diligent (2:15) Timothy was to pass down and commit the gospel to others (2:2) Paul says there must be understanding (2:7)

Understand what I say, for the Lord will give you insight in everything. (2 Timothy 2:7 LSB) But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, doubting nothing, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5 8 LSB)

Rightly Dividing The Word How To Handle The Word of Truth Accurately? We must be diligent (2:15) Not be ashamed (2:15b) Jesus rose from the dead (2:8) We must suffer (2:9-10) But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra. What persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! (2 Timothy 3:10 11 LSB)

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own which is from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God upon faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:7 11 LSB)

Rightly Dividing The Word How To Handle The Word of Truth Accurately? We must be diligent (2:15) We must be courageous This Pauls last epistle, and especially last to Timothy and he must carry out his commission without the beloved apostle He must be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. strong {endunamoo} is a verb and carries the idea of being strong

Acts 9:22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this One is the 1Christ. Rom. 4:20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, agiving glory to God, Eph. 6:10 Finally, abe strong in the Lord and in bthe might of His strength. Phil. 4:13 I can do all things 1through Him who astrengthens me. 1Tim. 1:12 I am grateful to aChrist Jesus our Lord, who has bstrengthened me, because He regarded me faithful, cputting me into service, 2Tim. 2:1 You therefore, my achild, bbe strong in the grace that is in cChrist Jesus. 2Tim. 4:17 But the Lord stood with me and astrengthened me, so that through me bthe preaching might be cfulfilled, and that all dthe Gentiles might hear. And I was erescued out of fthe lion s mouth.

At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the preaching might be fulfilled, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was rescued out of the lion s mouth. (2 Timothy 4:16 17 LSB)

Rightly Dividing The Word How To Handle The Word of Truth Accurately? We must be diligent (2:15) We must never deny Him (2 Tim 2:11-13) It is a trustworthy saying: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we will deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:11 13 LSB)

Rightly Dividing The Word How To Handle The Word of Truth Accurately? We must be diligent (2:15) Sincerity is greatest manifestation of true wisdom

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS, and, EVERYONE WHO NAMES THE NAME OF THE LORD is to DEPART FROM WICKEDNESS. Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of clay, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, having been prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. (2 Timothy 2:19 23 LSB)

Rightly Dividing The Word How To Handle The Word of Truth Accurately? We must be wise We must avoid all the does dishonor and dis-service to the word of Truth But avoid godless and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their word will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:16 18 LSB) (1 Tim 1:3-7; 4:7; 6:4-20; 2 Tim 2:23; Ti 1:14; 3:9-11)

Rightly Dividing The Word