In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul instructs Timothy to study diligently. “You be diligent to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman cutting straight the word of the truth.” The word of the truth is the gospel of our salvation (Ephesians 1:13). This is the good news that brings forth fruit in our lives (Colossians 1:5–6). We, as the Church, are given an example of how to handle God’s word as it relates to our salvation. We are to reject quarrelsome words that are not profitable, on the basis of which the hearers are ruined (2 Timothy 2:14). We are to be diligent in our study so that when we are examined, we will not be ashamed. “Rightly dividing” comes from the concept of being upright, with the word “cut” added to it. Thus, it conveys the meaning of “to cut straight.” Cutting straight the word of God means properly dividing what we are to practice from what we are to know. The Old Testament—before John 13 and after Revelation 3:22—is for the Christian’s admonition, not practice (1 Corinthians 10:11). These things were written as an example so that we should not strongly desire wrong things as they did (1 Corinthians 10:6). To rightly divide the Word of God, we need to understand how it is laid out for us. As we go through the Bible, we find consistent changes in the rules that govern men at specific times in history. In the garden of Eden, Adam was instructed not to eat from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). After Adam disobeyed God and was cast out of the garden, Cain is instructed by God to rule over the sin within him that desires to rule over him (Genesis 4:7). After the worldwide flood that destroyed the wickedness of men upon the earth, the rules that Noah is given relate to food, government, and spreading across the earth (Genesis 9:1–7). God then chose Abram and gave him an unconditional covenant of land for his descendants. The rule was to take God at His word (Genesis 15:18–21; Romans 4:3). When God brought Abraham’s descendants out from the land of Egypt, which He informed Abraham He would do (Genesis 15:13–14), they rejected His covenant of promise, seeking to show their own righteousness. Thus, God gave them the Mosaic Law as their standard (Exodus 19:5–8). Each of these changes did not take the rules from the previous period as applicable to the standard of conduct. In Hebrews 3:5, we are informed that Moses was a faithful household servant in his house, whereas Christ, as a Son, is over His house. Here, the period of the Law is portrayed as a household with a faithful household servant. This is the Biblical concept of a steward and dispensation. Christ is not a servant; He is the master of His house. Moses, as the household servant—the word used for servant is not a slave or bond servant; rather, it describes an attendant. One who cares for the household—gave Israel those standards from God through which they were to obey Him in their everyday conduct. Paul describes the period we are in today as the dispensation of Grace (Ephesians 3:2). The rule for those in the Church is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2). They are not under the Mosaic Law (Galatians 6:14). Those who are in the Church are then under the dispensation of grace, in which they live out from faith and thus cannot live out from law because the law is not out from faith (Romans 1:17; Galatians 2:12). Some of the predominant English translations have chosen not to use the word “dispensation.” Instead, they use the term “administration.” Some teachers will use the lack of the term “dispensation” in their translations to justify rejecting the principle for the purpose of applying all Scripture to the Church. This is especially done with the Sermon on the Mount, Psalms, and Proverbs. However, “administration” and “dispensation” mean the same thing. An administration sets the rules for those under it. A dispensation means “household rule.” Why discuss all of this? Because Scripture shows that God deals with different groups of people in different ways. Thus, the Church saint is not under the same standards as Israel. Just as we do not seek to apply Cain’s instructions to our lives today, we must understand this to rightly divide Scripture: taking what applies to the Christian for practice and separating it from what is for knowledge and admonition. When this is done properly, perceived conflict in Scripture disappears. God is not instructing the Christian in one place to abide by the Law and in another to live by grace. His standard for the Church is grace (Ephesians 2:7). In Acts chapter 2, the Holy Spirit, whom Christ promised He would send, came to the disciples while they were in an upper room (Acts 2:1–4). This was fifty days after the Passover and forty–seven days after Christ’s resurrection. Before Jesus was crucified, He gave the eleven disciples information about the new relationship coming. This is predominantly recorded in John chapters 13 through 15. In Revelation, John begins the letter with specific writings to each of the seven churches (Revelation 1:11). In the fourth chapter, the Church is seen in heaven, fully resurrected, with Christ—represented by the twenty–four elders (Revelation 4:4). This puts the doctrine for the Church between John chapter 13 and Revelation chapter 4. To be an unashamed workman, in our morning study we need to study, not just read a verse out of context and impose a meaning on it that does not relate to the verse or its context. The five Ws are a good method for keeping Scripture in context: who, what, when, where, why. In addition, we must compare Scripture with Scripture, because Scripture interprets itself. However, no Scripture is subject to one’s personal interpretation (2 Peter 1:20). We live in perilous times when it comes to finding the truth (2 Timothy 3:1–5). There are many “influencers” that flood our social media feeds, along with popular men and women who claim to be Christians, who bring in destructive heresies and cause the saints to wander after all kinds of harmful teaching. How can people become so popular and have so many followers if they are wrong? Remember, wide is the way to destruction, and narrow is the path of life (Matthew 7:13–14). Pastors were given to the Church to bring the saints to a oneness of the faith and unto maturity in Christ, so they are no longer tossed around by every wind of teaching by the trickery of men (Ephesians 4:11–16). These are men who are trained in the word of God and seek the best for their congregations by teaching the truth, even when it is not easy to hear. They shepherd the flock, not rule over it (1 Peter 5:2–3). This eliminates online churches and the home church movement, for the pastor cannot remotely shepherd and must be accountable to his congregation (1 Timothy 3:1–7; 5:17). Do not forsake the assembling together of the saints (Hebrews 10:25). The Pastor must know the truth—the doctrine for overcoming the sin nature (John 8:34, 36; Romans 6:3–6, 11, 13). He must also proclaim the gospel for salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). These basic truths will help us find a good place to learn, with a pastor who is doing his duty in a Biblical manner. In our personal study, we live in an era of unprecedented access to Biblical knowledge. Whether we listen to a pastor’s recorded sermon, follow a teacher online, or use electronic tools to search the Bible, let’s stop just reading Scripture and start taking the time to understand it. An example of this type of study can be seen in Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Using basic, free online tools, the astute student can understand this passage. Many pastors today claim this passage is for the Church, then allegorize it to mean something completely different to justify the teaching. When a Christian takes the time to understand what is being stated, to whom it is stated, and compares this statement with other Scriptures, the real… This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thechristianlife.org
