“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
The picture Paul gives is of a laborer. Manual labor is hard work in our culture, but so much more back then. Because Paul is teaching in the context of dealing with false teachers, it is understood as meaning we need to have correct interpretations, or discernment. But I think he is giving us a rich picture as well. “Rightly divide,” or orthomoteao, is a builder’s term meaning to cut in a straight line. Paul uses it as a metaphor, referencing a stonemason’s ability to study a stone and then to cut it in a straight line allowing it to fit where intended. I think we emphasize the cutting and dividing when maybe it’s the straightness of the cut he is trying to convey.
But in using this picture of a worker, I think Paul is also getting at something else. Workers work. I know that sounds silly, but sometimes we think we will just pick up truth and good theology by being around the church or around people talking about scripture. But here, Paul is talking about work – hard work. It is time-consuming, intentional, and it requires discipline. But like all worthy goals, the prize is worth the work.
The issues of the day require a thoughtful response from the church. There are sincere saints who pour over the text to examine what God has said and wrestle with one another in the pursuit of truth. But there are others who go to the text after they have formed an opinion, only to look for support of their decision. We need to be disciplined in the work of rightly dividing the word of truth.
In a privileged society with freedom and access to the Bible, I can become lazy and complacent. But passive exposure to God’s Word is not enough. Paul says we must work hard, like a laborer cutting stone, learning to cut true; a meaningful picture as we seek to be like Jesus, the builder. All scripture is profitable – and we need to invest time and energy mining its treasure. As much now as ever, our world needs us to offer truth.
