Dividing 2Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This word is found only one time in the Greek New Testament. That time is found in 2Tim 2:15.

The word dividing is the Greek word ovrqotome,w which is to cut straight, proceed on a straight path, to hold true to course, or in this case to handle truth correctly without deviation.

This word is a compound word of two Greek words:

1) ovrqo,j orthos {or-thos'} 1) straight, erect 1a) upright 1b) straight, not crooked

ovrqo,j is found in Acts 14:10 “Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

ovrqo,j is also found in Hebrews 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

2) the base of tomw,teroj ¿tomo,jÀ tomoteros {tom-o'-ter-os} Meaning: 1) sharper Origin: comparative of a derivative of the primary temno (to cut, more comprehensive or decisive than ,ko,ptw as if by a single stroke, whereas ko,ptw implies repeated blows, like hacking)

^KJV

This word is found in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The phrase "dividing assunder" in this verse is a different word that the word dividing on 2Tim 2:15.

Hebrews 4:12 teaches that the word of God is able to do a great work in meeting the spiritual need of man. It will divide and discern, but we must rightly divide it for it to be effectual in our lives!

2Tim 2:15 declares that God's word can be and must be interpreted in a manner that is consistent and accurate to truth. It is to be received uprightly without deviating from the word of God. The next verse shows the context in which verse 15 is being declared.

2 Tim 2:16 “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”

The private interpretations (2Peter 1:20) of today are no different from those of Timothy's day. We are not to follow the ways of those who do not value the Word of God by straying from a proper interpretation but rather strive to be approved of God. The result of wayward and inappropriate interpretation is manifested by ungodliness!