Make every effortThis phrase emphasizes diligence and intentionality. In the context of Paul's letters, it reflects the urgency and commitment required in the Christian life. The Greek word used here, "spoudazō," implies a zealous and earnest pursuit. This aligns with other scriptural exhortations to be diligent, such as in
Hebrews 4:11, where believers are encouraged to strive to enter God's rest.
to present yourself approved to God
The concept of being "approved" suggests a testing or proving process, akin to refining metals. In biblical times, metals were tested for purity, and only those that passed were deemed valuable. Similarly, believers are called to live in a way that meets God's standards, as seen inRomans 12:1-2, where Paul urges believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.
an unashamed workman
The imagery of a workman or laborer is common in the New Testament, reflecting the idea of serving God with integrity and skill. In the cultural context of the early church, a workman would be someone who is skilled and reliable, not needing to hide or be ashamed of their work. This is echoed in1 Corinthians 3:10-15, where Paul speaks of building on the foundation of Christ with care.
who accurately handles the word of truth
This phrase underscores the importance of correctly interpreting and teaching Scripture. The Greek term "orthotomeō" means to cut straight, akin to a craftsman cutting a straight path or a farmer plowing a straight furrow. This calls for precision and care in handling God's word, as seen inActs 17:11, where the Bereans are commended for examining the Scriptures daily to verify Paul's teachings. The "word of truth" refers to the gospel message, which is central to Christian doctrine and life.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PaulThe apostle who authored the letter, providing guidance and encouragement to Timothy.
2.
TimothyA young pastor and protégé of Paul, tasked with leading the church in Ephesus.
3.
EphesusThe city where Timothy was ministering, known for its diverse culture and challenges to the early church.
4.
The ChurchThe body of believers in Ephesus, facing false teachings and needing sound doctrine.
5.
False TeachersIndividuals spreading incorrect teachings, against whom Timothy is warned to stand firm.
Teaching Points
Diligence in StudyBelievers are called to make every effort in studying Scripture, ensuring they understand and apply it correctly.
Approval by GodOur ultimate goal is to be approved by God, not by human standards, which requires faithful adherence to His word.
Unashamed WorkmanshipHandling God's word accurately means we can stand unashamed before God and others, confident in our understanding and teaching.
Accurate Handling of TruthThe Greek term "orthotomeo" implies cutting straight, akin to a craftsman or a surgeon, emphasizing precision in teaching and applying Scripture.
Guarding Against False TeachingIn a world of diverse and often conflicting messages, believers must discern truth from falsehood through diligent study and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Timothy 2:15?
2.How can we "present ourselves approved to God" in daily life?
3.What does it mean to be a "worker who has no need to be ashamed"?
4.How can we "correctly handle the word of truth" in our Bible study?
5.What steps can we take to deepen our understanding of 2 Timothy 2:15?
6.How does 2 Timothy 2:15 connect with Psalm 119:105 about God's word?
7.What does "rightly dividing the word of truth" mean in 2 Timothy 2:15?
8.How does 2 Timothy 2:15 guide Christians in studying the Bible?
9.Why is diligence emphasized in 2 Timothy 2:15 for believers?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Timothy 2?
11.How do coherentism and foundationalism differ in epistemology?
12.What distinguishes a theologian from a theologist?
13.2 Timothy 2:15 – How can we be sure we are “rightly dividing” the Word when countless denominations interpret this passage differently?
14.How can one demonstrate their approval worthiness?What Does 2 Timothy 2:15 Mean
Make every effort“Make every effort” (2 Timothy 2:15) calls for deliberate diligence, not casual interest. Paul urges Timothy—and us—to throw the full weight of our will and energy into following Christ.
•2 Peter 1:5 reminds believers to “make every effort” to grow in virtue and knowledge, showing that spiritual progress is active, not passive.
•Hebrews 4:11 exhorts, “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest,” tying effort to perseverance and obedience.
• Genuine striving includes daily disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, fellowship, and obedience; it is wholehearted pursuit, not half-hearted hobby.
to present yourselfThe focus shifts from activity to audience: we labor “to present” ourselves before God.
•Romans 12:1 urges us to “offer your bodies as living sacrifices,” underscoring that our whole lives are an offering.
•1 Peter 2:5 pictures believers as priests “offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God,” stressing personal responsibility.
• Living conscious of God’s gaze shapes choices, motives, and priorities; we are performers on a stage with one ultimate Viewer.
approved to God“Approved” signals having been tested and found genuine.
•James 1:12 promises a crown “when he has stood the test,” showing God’s approval follows endurance.
•1 Thessalonians 2:4: “We speak as those approved by God,” highlighting faithful stewardship of the gospel.
• Approval is not earned salvation, but evidence of authentic faith that withstands trials and temptations; God’s “well done” matters more than human applause.
an unashamed workmanThe image is of a laborer with nothing to hide when the foreman inspects the job.
•Romans 1:16: “I am not ashamed of the gospel,” modeling bold confidence.
•Mark 8:38 warns against being “ashamed” of Jesus and His words.
•1 Corinthians 15:58 encourages us to “always abound in the work of the Lord,” reminding that steadfast service eliminates shame.
• Faithful workmen refuse compromise, corners-cutting, or fear of opposition, because the gospel’s honor eclipses personal reputation.
who accurately handlesGood workers must “accurately handle” (or “rightly divide”) the word.
•Acts 18:26 commends Priscilla and Aquila for explaining “the way of God more accurately,” illustrating careful instruction.
•Nehemiah 8:8 shows Ezra’s team reading “and giving insight so that the people could understand,” pairing clarity with fidelity.
Practical outworking:
• Stay within the text’s plain meaning, letting Scripture interpret Scripture.
• Teach the whole counsel of God, avoiding hobbyhorses and distortions.
• Reject false doctrine by measuring everything against God’s written standard.
the word of truthScripture is not merely true; it is “the word of truth,” the final authority.
•John 17:17: “Your word is truth,” Jesus affirms absolute reliability.
•Psalm 119:160: “The entirety of Your word is truth,” establishing comprehensive inerrancy.
•Ephesians 1:13 links salvation to hearing “the word of truth—the gospel,” showing life-changing power.
• Because the Bible is God-breathed, we study and teach it with reverence, confidence, and submission.
summary2 Timothy 2:15 calls every believer to:
• Pour wholehearted effort into discipleship.
• Live consciously before God’s eyes.
• Seek His approval above all.
• Labor unashamedly for the gospel.
• Handle Scripture with precision and integrity.
• Stand firmly on the Bible as the unerring word of truth.
Such a life pleases the Lord, equips His servant, and safeguards the church.
(15)
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.--Timothy, and those in the position of Timothy, were to show themselves approved unto God, by turning others, over whom they possessed influence, from the pursuit of vain and unprofitable things. Then their work would be the work of workmen tested by trial, and would be found to have stood the test. (Comp. here
1Corinthians 3:10-15, where the final testing of the work done by God's workmen, such as Timothy, is spoken of in very clear, heart-searching language.) His own words in the First Epistle to the Corinthians were evidently in St. Paul's mind when he wrote down this direction to Timothy.
Rightly dividing the word of truth.--Better renderedrightly laying out the word of truth. The Greek word translated in the English version "rightly dividing," literally signifies "cutting a straight line." It seems most correct to regard it as a metaphor from laying out a road (seeProverbs 3:6, in the LXX. rendering, where the word is so used), "or drawing a furrow, the merit of which consists in the straightness with which the work of cutting, or laying out, is performed. The word of truth is, as it were, a road which is to be laid out straightly and truly." So Ellicott. To affirm (see Alford and Huther-Meyer) that the notion of "cutting" had been gradually lost, and that the word already in the time of St. Paul signified simply "to manage rightly," "to treat truthfully without falsifying," and that the exact opposite is to corrupt or adulterate the Word of God (2Corinthians 2:17), seems premature. (Comp. Eur.Rhesus,422, ed. Dindorf.)
In the third century, Clement of Alexandria (Stromata,7), for instance, certainly uses the word in a sense in which the idea of "cutting" has been lost, when he writesorthotomia (a substantive) as an equivalent fororthodoxia--orthodoxy. It is not improbable that the use of the word here by St. Paul gave the word a fresh starting-point, and that gradually the original meaning passed out of sight.
Verse 15. -
Give diligence to present for
study to show, A.V.;
handling aright for
rightly dividing, A.V.
Give diligence. The A.V. "study," if we give it its proper force, as in the Latin
studeo, studium, studiosus, expresses the sense of
σπούδασον exactly. Zeal, earnest desire, effort, and haste, are all implied in it (comp.
2 Timothy 4:9, 21;
Titus 3:12;
2 Peter 1:10, 15;
2 Peter 3:14).
To present thyself (
παραστῆσαι, to present); as in
Luke 2:22;
Acts 1:3;
Acts 9:41. In
1 Corinthians 8:8 it has the sense of "to commend," nearly the same as
δόκιμον παραστῆσαι. The rendering,
to show thyself, of the A.V. is a very good one, and is preserved in the R.V. of
Acts 1:3.
Approved (
δόκιμον;
Romans 16:10;
1 Corinthians 11:19, etc.); one that has been tried and tested and found to be sterling; properly of metals. This, with the two following qualifications, "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed," and "one that rightly handles the Word of truth," is the character which Timothy is exhorted to appear in before God. The dative
τῷ Θεῷ is governed by
παραστῆσαι, not by
δόκιμον.
A workman (
ἐργάτην). How natural is such a figure in the mouth of Paul, who
wrought at his trade with Aquila and Priscilla (
Acts 18:3), and was
working night and day at Thessalonica, that he might earn his own living!
That needeth not to be ashamed (
ἀνεπαισχυντον); not found anywhere else, either in the New Testament or in the LXX., or in classical Greek. Bengel hits the right force of the word when he renders it "non pudefactum," only that by the common use of the passive participial form (compare
ἀνεξιχνίαστος ἀνεξερεύνητος ἀναρίβμητος, etc.), it means further "that cannot be put to shame." The workman whose work is skimped is put to shame when, upon its being tested, it is found to be bad, dishonest work; the workman whose work, like himself, is
δόκιμος, honest, conscientious, good work, and moreover sound and skilful work, never has been, and never can be, put to shame. St. Paul shows how to secure its being good work, viz. by its being done for the eye of God.
Handling aright the Word of truth (
ὀρθοτομοῦντα τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας). The verb
ὀρθοτομεῖν occurs only here in the New Testament. In the LXX., in
Proverbs 3:6, it stands for "he shall
direct [or 'make straight'] thy paths;" and so in
Proverbs 11:5. The idea is the same as that in
Hebrews 12:13, "Make straight paths for your feet (
τροχιὰς ὀρθὰς ποιήσατε)." But this does not at all suit the context. We must look, therefore, at the etymology of the word.
Ὀρθοτόμεω must mean "to cut straight," and, as the apostle is speaking of a good workman, he must be thinking of some work in which the workman's skill consists in cutting straight: why not his own trade, in which it was all-important to cut the pieces straight that were afterwards to be joined to each other (see
ὀρθότομος and
ὀρθοτομία)
? Hence, by an easy metaphor, "divide rightly," or "handle rightly, the Word of truth," preserving the true measure of the different portions of Divine truth.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Make every effortΣπούδασον(Spoudason)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4704:To hasten, be eager, be zealous. From spoude; to use speed, i.e. To make effort, be prompt or earnest.to presentπαραστῆσαι(parastēsai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3936:Or prolonged paristano from para and histemi; to stand beside, i.e. to exhibit, proffer, recommend, substantiate; or to be at hand, aid.yourselfσεαυτὸν(seauton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4572:Of yourself.approvedδόκιμον(dokimon)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1384:Approved, acceptable, tried. From dokeo; properly, acceptable, i.e. Approved.to God,Θεῷ(Theō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.[an] unashamedἀνεπαίσχυντον(anepaischynton)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 422:Having no cause to be ashamed. Not ashamed, i.e. Irreprehensible.workmanἐργάτην(ergatēn)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2040:A field-laborer; then: a laborer, workman in general. From ergon; a toiler; figuratively, a teacher.who accurately handlesὀρθοτομοῦντα(orthotomounta)Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3718:From a compound of orthos and the base of tomoteros, to make a straight cut, i.e. to dissect correctly.theτὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.wordλόγον(logon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056:From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.of truth.ἀληθείας(alētheias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 225:From alethes; truth.
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NT Letters: 2 Timothy 2:15 Give diligence to present yourself approved (2 Tim. 2Ti iiTi ii Tim) 
