We will begin by asking you to look at the following scripture.
2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” This is a scripture that most of you have heard and seen many times but, have you really taken into consideration what this passage is saying? Let’s examine the “Verbal-Plenary Inspired” words of this passage and see what God through His revelation is telling us. (For those who do not why I chose the term Verbal-Plenary and referred to the bible as His revelation please go back and review Lesson #1.) • Study – The Greek word is “spoudazo”. The meaning of this word is not to simply read and memorize. The word carries a strong connotation. It’s meaning is to hasten to do a thing, to exert oneself, to strive and endeavor. The picture here is not a person who is simply reading but, of someone who devoting their entire heart, soul, energies and intellect to something. • Approved – The Greek word is “dokimos”. Looking at the earliest uses of this word, it is used when speaking of metals that have gone through the test of fire in a forge to check their purity. When you wanted to check the purity of gold or silver you would have it melted down to see if any impurities would float to the top or separate. After this the gold or silver would be “dokimos” approved. The word is also used to describe on who is having his faith tried and character tried and examined. • Unto God – The one who we are to please is God, not man. The one whose approval we are to desire. • Workman – The Greek word is “ergates”. This word is used to describe one who works for another such as a field hand working in a vineyard. There are two important facets of this definition. First, the workman works! Second, the workman was not an independent consultant working where and when he felt like. The “ergates” worked for and under the direction of a property owner or supervisor. • Ashamed – The Greek word here is “anepaischuntos”. To be ashamed means to have a feeling or fear that prevents a person from doing something. It could be cowardice, timidity, lack of knowledge, embarrassment or other reasons that would produce shame in a person. • Rightly dividing – The Greek word here is “orthotomeo”. It is a compound word from “orthos” meaning straight and “temno” meaning to cut. This word was commonly used to refer to the process of plowing straight rows in a field. As people of the 21st Century, this may not mean much to us today. However, having had the opportunity to try my hand at plowing with a mule and an old fashioned plow, let me share some observations with you on this. It takes strength, stamina, skill, endurance, and your undivided attention. If you didn’t understand your mule, your plow, and your field, well lets just say the results