"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."
2 Timothy 2:15
Part 6
Yesterday: We Are Never Ashamed When We Do Our Best
“That needeth not to be ashamed.”
God expects our best work!
Today: Cutting Straight the Word of Truth
“Rightly dividing the Word of Truth.”
“Rightly Dividing”
Back in the days of the old West, the man with the deadly accurate shot was known as a “straight shooter.” He was a “dead eye” because he was “dead on” when he shot. It seemed that he couldn’t miss whatever he was aiming at. In our verse today (2 Timothy 2:15), God’s desire for Timothy and pastors and for all those who handle the Word of God that we know how to “rightly divide” it. We need to be dead on when we open up the Word for others.
This word that “rightly dividing” comes from is a Greek word that is only used once in the New Testament. And that ancient word is actually two words combined into one, orthos (orthodontist, etc.) meaning “straight,” and temnō, meaning “to cut.” When we handle the Scriptures, God expects us to “cut straight” His Word. The way this ancient word was used in times past by many tradesmen can help us understand how we need to apply it today. A stonecutter must cut straight the stones, or they will not fit into the wall properly. A farmer plowing his field must cut straight the furrows where the seed will be planted. A tent-maker (Paul) must cut straight the animal skins, or the pieces of the tent will not fit together when sewn up. A father must cut and distribute bread to his children that they each may have the right portion to eat. The sailor on the sea must keep his boat on a straight course. The roadbuilders cutting a new path or road need to cut it straight for many will walk there. The Old Testament priest must cut straight (dismember) the sacrifice properly and arrange the pieces correctly for the altar as prescribed by the Lord. When we pick up the Word of God, we need to study it thoroughly so that we can “cut it straight.” We must use it aright and correctly interpret each part, so the pieces fit together properly. We are to be skilled surgeons in cutting the Word straight. We are not butchers as unbelievers who are hacking away at the Word!
“The Word of Truth”
God’s Word is His Word, not ours, to do with what we want. His Word is true, and it is authoritative! We must not put words in God’s mouth nor divide His Word wrongly and teach it incorrectly as some do.
“The Bible does not mean just what anyone wants it to mean. There may be many people trying to twist the Scriptures to their own ends, but they are wrongly dividing the word of truth. We can’t just pick the interpretation that seems most comfortable to us and claim it as true – it must be rightly dividing the word of truth, and it must be consistent with what the Bible says in the specific passage and with the entire message of the Scriptures” (Guzik).
“Swords are meant to cut and hack, and wound, and kill with, and the Word of Truth is for pricking men in the heart and killing their sins. The Word of God is not committed to God’s ministers to amuse men with its glitter, nor to charm them with the jewels in its hilt, but to conquer their souls for Jesus.” [1] (Spurgeon)
Paul’s words should be the creed of every minister of the Gospel.
“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:1-2).
Quote: “Timothy was neither to mutilate, nor twist, nor torture, nor break in pieces the word, nor keep on the outside of it, as those do who never touch the soul of a text, but rightly to divide it, as one taught of God to teach others”[2] (Spurgeon).
[1] Spurgeon’s quote is from the Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Spurgeon’s quote Downloaded: July 28, 2021. From: https://www.preceptaustin.org/rightly_dividing_the_word_of_truth1.