Last week we started to practice “How to study” with 2Ti 2:15

And, now we finish looking at; 

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

Wisdom?• Eph 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the

dead, and Christ shall give thee light. • Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, • Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. • Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is]. • Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; • Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; • Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the

name of our Lord Jesus Christ; • Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

The key to wisdom is this;To take the eternal mind of an unchanging God,

and bring it to bear

into a moment of time, in the details of our present life and circumstances.

Wisdom is found at the junction between the contexts of Gods word - eternal, and the momentary details of our life

> <The verseIn Wisdom

verse

Bible’s contextNarrowed down

My contextNarrowed down

This is a test!In order to find the unchanging truth of an eternal God,

and whether/how it is relevant and binding to our present life and circumstances…

That is to say ... in order to determine if the explicit commands, eternal principals, confirming examples

are morally binding upon us, now…

What 3 things do we need to do?1-2-3-

These are the answers!1. Look at the scriptures through the context that it was given into, • and find exactly the heart of Gods mind revealed (and confirmed)

• What does it say?

2. And determine who the commands and principals are applicable to,• (Distinctions: ethnic, institutional, gender, covenant, dispensation...)

• Is it relevant to me?

3. Look at the context of our lives to determine how to apply the principal. • This is how we can rightly divide, walk in truth, and grow in WISDOM

• What should I do about it

This is another test...What does...

morally binding?

mean

This is the answer!

And yet , another test!What are the 3 stages

required 

to use your bible effectively

This is the answer!•Observation; reading the whole book

• Interpreting; determining the original intent through consideration of all relevant contexts,

•Applying;  determining how to implement the eternal truths in our own immediate context

Ok, enough review...

Let’s finishpracticing

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that

needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth

Okay, so what does this mean… ?And is it applicable to me?

In order to “rightly divide” this verse, we must do 3 things;

Read the book its in as a whole• Who wrote 2nd Tim?• What was the main objective and point of the letter as a whole?

Interpret the verse in its proper context• What is the historical and cultural context?• What is the literary context of the book/ passage, and immediate around the actual verse?• Grammatical context – entomology and verbs..

Now we can explain explicitly and accurately , just what the verse says!

Apply it to your life?• Is it relevant to us, now? • Why, or why not?• What must we do, how can we implement this into our lives?

Historical Culture context• Times

• Beginning of the church age Ad 67• Paul in jail now for the last time after 3 missionary trips, 4yrs already in jail,• Paul has already gathered saints into churches, grounded them in the full gospel, and then

established them in “house order” with elders.• Unrest and Persecution is increasing• Jews are about to revolt – the temple will be destroyed in 3 years and the church scattered

• Culture• Pharisees, pagans, heathens; outside, and even inside the new church

• Author• Paul; the one given the revelation of grace to reconcile Jew and gentile, the mystery church, and

the gospel ministry to the gentiles, and for the establishing of self-edifying and self-replicating churches• This is his last letter and he knows his time is up… 

• Audience• Timothy, pastor at Ephesus, the biggest church, and the then central one.

Tag, you’re it! Be careful

Read the book• Who wrote 2nd Tim?

• Paul; the master missionary (gather, establish gospel, appoint elders/who will pass it on)

• What is 2nd Tim main theme? – the value and function of Gods pure word!  (how do we do anything?)• Being a workman of God prepared and approved unto good works foreordained• The context is within the Church• Words-people-results; 2 kinds

• What was the objective of the letter?• Remind Tim of his gift and calling, exhort him to partake in the afflictions of the gospel• Charge him to avoid and remedy vain babblings by studying-the scripture rightly divided, patient instruction, and

preaching (2:14,24); (2:15, 3:16-17, 4:2)

• The main points• Tim’s faith, gift, and calling 1:5,6,9 (along with Paul's until, v4:5-6 tag, your it)• Enduring suffering for the faith 1:8,12,2:2-13, 3:10-12, • Entrusting the faith to others 2:2, 10-15, 21, 3:14-4:2• Don’t strive, avoid subversive words, vain profane babblings, foolish Q’s, 2:14, 16-18, 3:1-9,13, 4:3-4

• Scripture is the substance; foundation for all these “ good works” we are called to, and the cure for strife• Study scripture for sound doctrine, to be approved and prepared for Gods good works• Preach – teach sound doctrine while you can

Literary context?• This is a personal letter •Written to a pastor of a church• About life and relationships IN the church

• 1 Tim is about establishing the church with elders etc. (3rd stage of Paul)• 2nd Tim is about guarding, strengthening, and equipping it to reproduce

What are some ways this could still be relevant to us?

“Contextual”- literary contextThe trajectory of the letter to Timothy;• Called endearingly a son, and reminded of his gift and holy calling• Charged to be a partaker of “the afflictions of the gospel," unashamed...• Charged to hold fast to the pure gospel doctrine from Paul• Charged to pass it on to faithful men, who will also pass it on• Charged to endure hardship in 3 ways;

• As a solider (untangled) – set affections above, dwell on virtuous, seek first the kingdom, store treasure in heaven

• an athlete (striving/lawfully) – do all as unto the Lord, if free be the lords bondsman, • a Gardner (a nurturer/partaker) – he who wins souls is wise

• To endure it for the elect’s sake and salvation ... (some are still goats!)

does this help explain the urgency to guard doctrine?

Visible church dynamic explained.2:11-13 – visible church dynamic explained

• [It is] a faithful saying: • For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]: • If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: • if we deny [him], he also will deny us: • If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Do these last to contradict?

• Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

• (Note: v12 deny Him? v13 believeth not?)• 3:5-8 the truth-resisting corrupt minds that teach error (do they deny Him for who He is, so are denied)• 2:18-19 the doctrinal error (causing them to believe not – not a saving faith NEVERTHELESS 2:19

Deny?  John 1:12 as many as received him, to them gave He power to believe• What does receive mean? (recognize for who He is-Lord, welcome Him with a bow of submission)• Compare 2:11-12’s attitude (die, suffer, believe) to the one in this passage 3:1-12 (esp. 3:2-4)

the visible church problem answered

2:14 the visible church problem answered – (also v24-26)

Put them in remembrance of this...... Charging [them] before the Lord that • they strive not about words to no profit, • [but] to the subverting of the hearers.

Don’t strive; and subvert (or overthrow) folk!

• What subverts hearers? Self over (off) the cross, and false doctrines/heresy that comes from it• People described in 3:2-9

Verse 14 begins a description of the nature of strife, and those striving (14, 16-18)

2:14 Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers.

These things:• 2:11 For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]: • 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: • 2:13 If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.• 2:12 if we deny [him], he also will deny us: ? ? ?

15 is actually a clause inserted into a train of thought about how “unapproved workmen”

are, Shameful!

Lets skip 15 to get the whole thought in this passage... (2:11-14, 16-18)

2Ti 2:14-18... Of these things (11-13), put [them] in remembrance, 14 charging [them] before the Lord that (charge who, us? Is this relevant yet?)

they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers

16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Notice - the problem of “shameful words/striving people”• Striving with unprofitable words subverting hearers• Profane, vain babblings unto ungodliness• These words eat like a canker worm 2 “wolves” named!• They have erred overthrown the faith of some

• Compare to 2:13 ... Not believing but He is still faithful to Himself in them (context)

“Contextual”- literary context

THEN verse 19 NEVERTHELESS... (contrarily tied to previous –overthrown faith)

... the foundation is sure• The foundation is the Finished Work salvation – the pure gospel• God knows them that are His own who are sealed by the Spirit• Compare to 2:13 – even if they “believe not” – and are overthrown in some doctrine

Words from Paul for the sheep19 let professors depart iniquity20 many vessels, some to honor, others not21 if you purge self of these, you’ll be approved for work (because embracing the truth is what purges)

22 flee also youthful lusts, follow; R, Faith , charity, peace, out of a pure heart (not like ch3)

23 avoid foolish unlearned Q’s, they bring strife

2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver,• but also of wood and of earth; • and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge (2:15, 3:16) himself from these, (2:16,17, 20b, 1st cor 5:11 don’t eat, tit 3:10)

• he shall be a vessel unto honour, • sanctified, and meet for the master's use, • [and] prepared unto every good work.

Remember, Sheep have what attitude?• 11 For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]: • 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: • 13 If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

2Ti 2:22  Flee also youthful lusts: • but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, • with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2Ti 2:23  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, • knowing that they do gender strifes.

And the servant of the Lord?2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord ...• must not strive; • but be gentle • unto all [men], • apt to teach, • patient, • In meekness • instructing • those that oppose themselves; • if God peradventure • will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; • And [that] they may recover themselves • out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Don’t be part of the problem,

be the solutionverse 24-26 explains; how to be the solution

how approved workmen “do the good works” of God!

This a key and pivotal passage. This is the resolution between;      

 striving with words unprofitable Speaking a pure gospel, patiently

Unprofitable words, Subverting hearers, Vain profane “babbling” – cankerous wordsErrors that over throw their faith2:14, 16-18, 23

and bringing people to the opportunity to repent unto God and deliver themselves from Satan's snare – preach the gospel!2:24-26, 4:2

Approved in Gods way. Approved for God’s purpose.

1:7 Not a spirit of fear (of man) but Love, power (HS), and a sound mind (good doctrine).

The power of God works through a trained mind operating in an attitude of love. I.e. Speak the truth, in love

• 2:10 enduring for the elects sake, • 2:15 Study and RIGHTLY divide• 24-26 (NOT striving) but patiently teaching, • 3:10-12 Paul’s gospel afflictions, (hold fast the teaching, partake in the sufferings)

• 3:16-17 the scripture is inspired and profitable...• 4:2 preach it in and out of season!• 4:5 Evangelize

The other way of doing things (bad)

THEN verse 3:1-9 (because) perilous times will come with carnal people acting Godly” but without the power of truth, and perhaps without God’s Spirit either• Ever learning but not coming to intimacy with truth,

because • their “form” is not according to truth – • Goats, some NOT elect... • Resisting truth – • are of reprobate minds

Acts 20:25-32 leaving Ephesus for jail... Watch for wolves 29, some from among you – guard!

“Contextual”- literary contextTHEN verse 3:10-12 you know my doctrine and life, patient, loving, persecuted, as all will be

• this is an example of 2:24-26, and based on 2:15, and 3:16-17

THEN verse 3:14-15 BUT you, Tim, continue in the gospel that saved you – (3rd validation of the pure gospel)• Unlike those in 3:2-9, and like my example instead

THEN verse 3:16 All scripture is inspired and useful to prepare, us- and those we minister too- to the good works ordained

• 4:1-2 Therefore preach true gospel in/out of season• 4:3-4 Because the time comes when men will not listen to SOUND doctrine but turn itchy ears away• 4:5 SO THEN... Watch, endure, evangelize –

• make full proof of your ministry ( 1:5,6,9) by doing it God’s way...:

Note; 2:14 - with 2:24; don’t strive, - one way of doing things (bad)

2:15 with 3:16; (but) study to be approved – approvable by the scripture that prepare us – the other way (good)

Note: the purpose of study (2:15) is to be prepared unto the good works foreordained – (3:16) is what and why we studyThe context for this is (Good works) in the church! – Feeding guarding sheep, evangelizing elect goats, and resisting wolves...

Our Verse... 2:15 (and 3:16)is thrown into the middle of this rant – as the answer!

Because it is the contrast to the strife and subversive words by those who have erred and overthrown the faith of others caught up in these unprofitable debates

Consider their character (ego) and possible objective (ch 3:2-9)Note; what is the purpose and context of the good works? Edification - in the body

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

Grammatical context; It’s still Greek to me• 2 Timothy 2:15 Study <4704> (5657) to shew <3936> (5658) thyself

<4572> approved <1384> unto God <2316>, a workman <2040> that needeth not to be ashamed <422>, rightly dividing <3718> (5723) the word <3056> of truth <225>.

• What does the word “Study” mean?• Is it just a suggestion?• The word, “shew”• How do we know “study” refers to the word?

• 2nd tim 1:6, 9-14; 2:9, 23-26; 3:5, 7, 10-, 14-17; 4:2-5

So what does the verse actually say?Amplified?

Make haste diligently (in the word) that you might present yourself unto God as being a good workman/laborer (for good works foreordained) not shamefully (to your own destruction) BUT able to fully and accurately, without distortion, interpret the word of truth

What does the context add to the meaning?• Paul, at the end of his ministry, reaches out to Tim pastor of Ephesus,• knowing the evil of men and the weakness of the saints… hands the caretaker baton to Tim, • reminds him of the gift God gave him, and the call they both have • 2:13 charges him to hold fast to the word given, • 2:1-2  to pass it to faithful men who will teach others also, • 2:3,10 to endure hardship – it’s part of the job, • Explains church dynamics/the exchanged life attitude... And Says remind them, BUT don’t strive with UNPROFITABLE words...• Then VERSE 15   study – approvably - rightly dividing• 2:16-18 But shun babblings and foolish Q’s,• 20-23 many vessels, some honorable, other not, purge ... • Flee lust-pursue righteousness, peace charity BUT avoid foolish unlearned questions• Instead 2:24-26 the servant of the Lord, patient-apt to teach-instructing those in their own way• Because perilous times coming and wicked men – ever learning but not the truth , • 3:12 the godly shall suffer, but the ungodly get worse, • 3:13-14 you must continue in the word I gave and the scriptures of your youth 13-14 – • 3:15 remember scriptures, they will make you wise unto salvation (practical) • 3:16-17 all scripture give/useful, • 41-2 I charge to preach always; rebuke reprove, exhort with long suffering and DOCTRINE • 4:3-4 for itching ears are coming soon and men wont listen• 4:5 prove your ministry

Summing it up• Paul is desiring to equip Tim with the word and endurance for what all

approved workmen will face; hardship, suffering, and persecution.• The word is the tool by which God sharpen us to be workmen• Being a good workman require haste and diligence (study) in the word• Being a good workman means you can accurately “discern” what God said• Being a good workman makes you “acceptable” to God• Note: We are “accepted” in the beloved already. That is not in question!

• Not being able to rightly divide is being = not a good workman• Not being a good workman is shameful

• Good workmen use the (engrafted) word to teach the saints, evangelize goats, and resist/refute wolves and heretics…

Various themes• Tim’s charges • The good words – and their fruit• The bad word- and their fruits• Persecution and the afflictions of the gospel• NOT striving 2:14,24, • BUT study 2:15,• The scripture that prepares us for these good works 3:16-17 • teach instruct patiently 2:24-26, • preach in/out of season 4:1-2,• Evangelize  while they still listen 4:5

Note; this is within a church… (context is king)

(Sheep needing food and protection <–> both goats and wolves present)Verses 2:22-23 – reveal the two lifestyle of the different “ways”

Read 2:19-21 • Two kinds of people,

• Those who know the word and have one kind of life (sheep)• Those who don’t know the word and have a different kind of life (goats/wolves)

• There is an intersection in the overlapping lives• Sheep people are potentially defiled by the “words” of the “goats/wolves”

• They must be able to discern and defend them selves from error• “goats/wolves” offend sheep folk

• Goats must be corrected, taught, and evangelized• Wolves must be resisted,

Read 2:24-26 – we cant strive against sheep or goats, they are in their own way,

they must themselves repent unto God

Again, what does the verse actually say?Amplified?

Make haste diligently (in the word) that you, might present, yourself, unto God as being a good workman/laborer (for good works foreordained) not shamefully (to your own destruction) BUT able to fully and accurately, without distortion, interpret the word of truth

Now we must ask, is it relevant to our lives?• Is it relevant to us personally, now?

• Why, or why not?• How?

• What can/should you do to implement this into your life?

Which group are/will we be in?• Wolves 3:1-9, 13

• Goats who become wolves 4:3-4

• Goats who become sheep 2:10, 25-26, 3:15, 4:2-5

• Sheep who “believe not” and are overthrown” in faith, but still His• 2:13, 18

• Workmen approved, rightly dividing, 2:15, 21• Prepared for good works 3:16-17• Not striving 2:14,24• Gentle, apt to teach, patient, instructing in truth 2:24-26• doing the good works of God 2:21, 3:17

Does God want everyone in the body to be approved workmen?

How is it relevant to us?Are we to be workmen too? (Eph 2:10 His workmanship unto good works, 4:12 the work of the ministry)

Are we to teach and guard the faith; (Eph 4; work of the ministry, great commission)

• for ourselves to be wise unto salvation (2nd ptr 1:3-4)

• In family; husband to wife, parents to children (eph 5:22-6:4. col 3, 2nd pt3 duet 6, psalm 78, malachi 4:6/lk 1:17, prov 22:6)

• In church; Eph 4 one-anothering, with gifts (rom 12, 1 cor 12,)

• Before the world; to give an answer for the hope we have (phil 2:12-16)

Are we in a church with weeds and goats… (Mt 13:24-30, Mt 25-31-46)

Are we “to do the work of the ministry” in Church? Eph 4:12

Do we want to be wise unto salvation (dead weeds and sprouts growing)Have we been saved unto “good works foreordained” ?

And should we too be thoroughly furnished unto that end? (Eph 2:10, 1st Tim 2:10, 2nd Tim 3:17, Titus 2:14. 3:8, 14)

So what should we do?We all have different lives and are at

different places in our different walks. This means that even with morally binding,

absolutely relevant truths, there are many possible appropriate applications

How is this verse relevant to each of us personally?

• Is there an eternal principal that reflects an unchanging God, his design, and His purpose?• What is it?

• Is this (personally) morally binding?• How?

• Is this presently relevant?• What changes are you now going to make to honor God and His word?

• Study diligently, love lost sheep and unruly goats, preach/teach patiently, while you still can...

Why study the Bible - carefully?Again, the point of discovering truth is that we might walk in it! Eph 4:2

“Walking in truth” requires accurately knowing it!

James 1:22-25New American Standard Bible (NASB)22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, this man will be blessed in what he does not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, Does this suggest that if you don’t “do” the word, you don’t “know” it?

This was …… An example of “how to study”

•Observation; reading the whole book • Big picture, main point

• Interpreting the original intent through consideration of all relevant contexts, • Rightly divided…

•Applying the relevant eternal truths to our immediate personal context

Another exhortation from Paul’s heart• Php 2:12-16 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my

presence only, but now much more in my absence, • work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. • For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. • Do all things without murmurings and disputings: • That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, • without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,• among whom ye shine as lights in the world; • Holding forth the word of life;

that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

• Pil 3:7-16 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss [c]in view of the surpassing value of [d]knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, [e]for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and [f]the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 [g]in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on [h]so that I may lay hold of that [i]for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren,` I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are [j]perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep [k]living by that same standard to which we have attained.