Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth....

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (NIV)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (NASB)

             Just a few different translations to compare as we consider what it means to "rightly divide the word of truth"

There are two types of scriptural interpretations for us to consider today.
  
                    Eisegesis (pr. eyes-uh-Jesus) -  making scripture fit what you want it to say or in other  
                                                                      words, using scripture to validate your point of view. (to 
                                                                      draw in)

                    Exegesis (pr. ex-uh-Jesus) -  taking a critical view of the text understanding it's origin,
                                                                  meaning, author, audience and original translation. (to draw
                                                                  out)

Now, many (if not all) Bible scholars and teachers will agree that an exegetical approach to studying God's word is much more responsible than its counterpart.  What many won't agree on is who is actually studying/preaching/teaching exegetically and who is not. 

But come on......think about it......

Can there honestly be more than one truth?  More than one right answer? 

Can Paul be right when he says we are "saved by grace and not works...[Eph 2:8-9]
If so, does that mean Jesus is wrong when he says "But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." in Matthew 6:15??

What about when James says "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." in Jas 2:26?

Any one of these verses can be taken out of context or mean different things to different people. But none of them have more than one true meaning and all of them agree with the other!  This is why the world constantly criticizes the Bible by saying "it's full of contradictions."

But as believers, we know the Bible is not full of anything but truth.  Therefore the breakdown (maybe responsibility is a better word) must be with us....believers....teachers....pastors....

Let me be clear....
                        God's word = Truth. 
                        God's word + man's interpretation = does not always equal truth

Now am I able to "corner the market" on exegetical interpretation of God's word from beginning to end?  I daresay, no I am not.  But that doesn't mean I don't have the responsibility that whatever I claim God's word to say, I'd better be sure that's what it says.

It's a sad case, but anyone can stand before others and claim to know what God's word says.  Anyone can start a blog or write a book (anyone! trust me!!) but (to quote Dr. Ian Malcolm [Jeff Goldblume] from Jurassic Park "Yeah, yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should."

Ok, I know...we aren't talking about scientists....nor are there any T-Rex's chasing us around.  But what we must consider is that we can become so preoccupied with preaching/teaching a certain way (that being the "could") that we fail to stop and ask God if we are doing it right (this being the "should"). 

The Greek word, orthotomeo, is where we get "rightly dividing" and it means "to cut straight" so it is safe to say, we must cut through all the garbage (that man adds to the equation) and get right down to the meat of what God is saying.  To truly do this and then to preach it is the only Godly way to spread the Gospel.


 It is from this irresponsible interpretation that we get all these "made up rules" in the church we so fondly call, "tradition." So before you say "I know what this means," you need to make sure.

You make sure by first praying (and keep praying as you study), then understand the author, his audience, the origins and customs of the times, and how it is applicable to you today.  After all, Exodus 31:15 says "For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death." 

That verse is true.............but is it applicable to us today?  No, not in literal practice anyway, simply because this was written when the Jews were under the Law.  You and I are under Grace, found in Christ. But we can take the example found in this verse and make sure we have a day to rest and regenerate.  God didn't do this because He needed a break.  He did it to set an example for us.

One last thought as you ponder this post.   In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul was writing to........Timothy, not us.

Blessings as you figure that one out!
Chester