What does it mean to be rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)?

Answer

Timothy had remarkable advantages. He was instructed in the Word of God by his mother and grandmother, as mentioned in (2 Timothy 1:5). Additionally, he was mentored by Paul and served alongside him in ministry for years. Timothy was well-versed in the Word of God and well-prepared. However, Paul advised Timothy to remain diligent in studying the Word and correctly interpreting the truth. Without ongoing dedication to the Word, Timothy would struggle to stand firm and uphold sound teaching. Paul cautioned Timothy to focus on both himself and his teaching, as stated in (1 Timothy 4:16). Since all Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, it is essential for equipping us for every good work intended by God, as mentioned in (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Paul urged Timothy to diligently present himself as a worker approved by God, unashamed and accurately handling the Word of truth, as instructed in (2 Timothy 2:15). Paul’s guidance emphasizes that studying the Bible is indeed hard work that requires effort and diligence.

gence. We need to be committed to doing that work if we desire to be equipped for what God intends us to do in life. Second, Paul helps us to focus on the idea that this work in the Word is not about the approval of other people. Rather, it is God who is assessing how we handle His Word, and so we are studying His Word for Him. Also, we understand that, if we are diligent, we will not need to be ashamed because we will have been faithful with the remarkable stewardship of His Word. Sometimes we may take for granted that we have His completed Word—the Bible. We may be unaware of how many people suffered and died to provide us the freedom and opportunity to own our own Bibles and read them in our own language. How sad would it be if we took this—one of the very greatest of freedoms—and were not diligent to make the most of it?

Paul’s final comment in 2 Timothy 2:15 is helpful because it tells us what success looks like in the study of the Word: to be “rightly dividing” the Word of truth (NKJV). The Greek word translated as “rightly dividing” is orthotomounta—ortho means “right or proper,” and tomounta means “to cut.” Literally, success in handling the Word is to cut it properly or correctly. This is farming imagery, as a farmer who is plowing a field would seek to cut straight furrows in order to plant rows of seed. When plowing, a farmer would look at a point on the other side of the field and focus on that point to ensure the line cut in the dirt was straight. This is what the good student of the Word is doing, as well: remaining focused on the goal or outcome and being diligent to handle the Word of God properly. To rightly divide the Word of truth is to “cut it straight.”

Ultimately, in studying the Word, we are trying to understand what the Author has said and not allow our own opinions or views to cloud the meaning of what He has written. When we are diligent to “cut straight”—to rightly divide the Word of truth—we can understand what He has communicated in

His Word equips us well for the tasks He has for us and guides our thoughts.