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Daily Devotions

2 Timothy

2 Timothy 
Day 
Day 35

"Rightly dividing the word of truth..."

Text: 2 Timothy 2:15

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD OF GOD

One of the most vital ministries the Lord has entrusted to us is the ministry of the Word of God. There are many vital texts that remind us of the sacredness of the ministry of the Word.

1. Ministers are reminded that they are messengers of the Lord (Malachi 2:7).

2. Servants of God are appointed by the Lord Himself (2 Timothy 1:11).

 

It was vital that Timothy fully comprehends the ministry of the word of God.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God,
a worker who does not need to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15

 

RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH

The Apostle Paul shared with Timothy how he ought to handle the Word of God.

1. “A worker”

a) This is a simple word that describes any kind of worker.
b) He must be prepared for hard work.

 

2. “Who does not need to be ashamed”

a) A certain standard of work is in mind.
b) His work is of such high quality that he is not ashamed to present his work for examination.
c) He who does not do his work properly would have every reason to feel a great sense of shame.

 

3. “Rightly dividing the word of truth”

a) We have a compound word here translated as “rightly dividing”.
i) The first component is where we get the English word “ortho” (as a prefix).
ii) Orthopaedic/ Orthodontist/ Orthodox are words derived from this root.
iii) The second component part has to do with “cutting sharply”.
b) In application
i) The word of God has to be cut right.
ii) It has to be cut sharply.
iii) It has to do with interpreting the Word of God with great skill.
c) Ezra is often cited as a good example of one who studied the word of God well (Ezra 7:10).
d) Timothy was greatly urged to become a skilled interpreter of the word of truth. It would take a lifetime of diligence to become a skilled teacher of the Word of God.