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Be quick about presenting yourself approved before The God1 as a worker with nothing to be ashamed of,2 correctly interpreting the Word of the Truth.3
| 1 | Be quick about presenting yourself approved before The God: Or, RSV: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved; KJV: study to shew thyself approved; ABU: earnestly endeavor; NEB: try hard to show yourself worthy of God’s approval; KNX: aim first at winning God’s approval. See notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:4. |
| 2 | A worker with nothing to be ashamed of: That is, embarrassed. Compare 1 Timothy 4:6. |
| 3 | Correctly interpreting the Word of the Truth: Or, RSV: Rightly handling the word of truth; KJV: rightly dividing; MON: cutting a straight path; NEB: driving a straight furrow; ALF: rightly laying out; BER: correctly analyzing; RHM: skillfully handling; CON: declaring the word of truth without distortion. Though he is encouraged to avoid fights over words, he is exhorted to handle “the word” The Greek is ORTHOTOMOUNTA [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #3718, cut straight, teach truth correctly] and infers cutting a straight line in teaching and comprehension of the Truth. Likely Paul means not to abuse or twist the word of truth. See notes on 2 Timothy 4:2. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose 2 Timothy 2:15 as the theme verse of chapter two – Honor and Dishonor. Paul urges Timothy to keep acquiring power or strength. [1-7] Timothy is to entrust other qualified men with what he has learned from Paul, so that these will also be able to teach others. The Christian cannot please God by secular work, but rather by being a good spiritual warrior.
Paul encourages Timothy with the hope that if we die together in Christ, we will also all live together with him. [8-13] If we should ever by speech or conduct deny Christ he will deny us. Timothy is counseled to continue “correctly interpreting the Word.” [14-19] He must present himself to God as an approved worker. Timothy is to avoid worthless debates and “empty voicings.” Paul specifically mentions one example of two Christians whose “word is spreading like gangrene” because they teach the “resurrection has already begun.” [BAS, WEY, YLT] Within the Church Jehovah knows “those who belong to Him.”
Timothy must be on guard regarding his associates within the Christian Church. [20-22] For in the Church there are both honorable and dishonorable vessels. Only by “keeping clear of the latter” will one become sanctified and useful to God for good works. The young elder is to flee from youthful desires but instead continue pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace along with those who call on the Sovereign Lord out of a clean heart.
Timothy must “avoid stupid and uneducated questions which only result in word fights. [23-26] Jehovah’s slave must be a gentle and controlled person who is qualified to teach others. Perhaps such “dishonorable vessels” – caught alive by the Devil – will repent and change and attain to a more accurate knowledge.
Abba our Father bless those who are approved.
[4 August]
The Revision reads, “Handling aright.” The Greek word [orthotomeo] means, literally, “cutting straight.” The thought, probably, is to present the truth clearly, truthfully, without blunders, and with an exactness which cannot be gainsaid.
