English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
To counter the false teachers who were misapplying and undermining the truth of God’s Word, the apostle Paul urged Timothy to work hard and study diligently to ensure that he had God’s approval when handling the Scriptures: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” «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, KJV).
“Study to show thyself approved unto God” is outdated language that challenges the understanding of present-day Bible readers. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved” (NIV) and “work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval” (NLT) are more contemporary renderings that clarify the original text for today’s Bible readers.
False teachers were a concern in the early church, just as they are today. Pastors and church leaders are tasked with the responsibility of safeguarding God’s people from harmful teachings that spread and suffocate the truth of Scripture, leading to ungodly behavior (2 Timothy 2:16-17). Paul instructs Timothy to caution God’s people “before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen” «Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. », (2 Timothy 2:14). Timothy was to command the people in the presence of God to cease quarreling over words and to stop listening to those who were causing trouble with their pointless, hair-splitting debates. ThThe result of getting caught up in such ideas—building theological mountains out of mere foolish talk—would be spiritual ruin.
“Show thyself approved” means to present yourself to God in such a way that you receive His approval. Followers of Jesus Christ, especially pastors and teachers, are to work persistently to understand and explain the truth of God’s Word correctly. In the original language, the word rendered “approved” in 2 Timothy 2:15 carries the idea of being “tried and true,” or tested and proven genuine. Receiving God’s approval seems to suggest having passed a vetting process, “but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” (see 1 Thessalonians 2:4).
God’s approved workers handle the word of truth correctly. “Rightly dividing” literally means “cutting straight” in the original Greek. Pastors and teachers are to be skilled workmen of God’s Word who carefully and thoroughly search the revelation of God in Scripture, not deviating from or distorting its message in any way (Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19). They cut straight lines and help build a stable foundation that will stand the test of time, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19). The approved worker is like the Bereans who “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true,” “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received t.He studied the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to verify the truth (Acts 17:11). He delves into God’s Word and then endeavors to apply it to his own life.
The unapproved worker deviates from the truth, weaving twisted paths with empty talk, godless chatter, false knowledge, and deviations from the faith (1 Timothy 1:6;1 Timothy 6:20;2 Timothy 2:16-18). He engages in “foolish debates about spiritual lineages or in disputes and conflicts about adherence to Jewish laws. These matters are fruitless and a waste of time” «But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. », (Titus 3:9, NLT). Paul characterizes the unapproved worker as “conceited” and someone who “lacks understanding. Such an individual has an unhealthy craving to argue over the meaning of words. This leads to disputes culminating in envy, division, slander, and evil suspicions” «he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, », (1 Timothy 6:4, NLT).
Christian teachers who have demonstrated themselves and received God’s approval have no cause for shame. Paul’s aim as a minister of Jesus Christ was to “never be ashamed, but . . . continue to be bold for Christ” and “bring honor to Christ” throughout his life «according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. », (2 Corinthians 4:1-2).
