Rightly Dividing the Word There is another view on this passage

Dispensationalists believe that the whole Bible is divided into 7 dispensations or time periods in which God acts in different ways toward man. Apart from looking extensively at covenants and many important passages, most dispensationalists quote a key scripture which they use to back this up from Paul: II Timothy 2:15. They use this scripture in the following way - we are supposed to STUDY and RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word of truth in order to be "approved." I assert that on examination of the passage and the words used, the opposite meaning is inferred - and that dividing the word up into dispensations is exactly what is not meant.

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

Study - endeavour 3, do diligence 2, be diligent 2, give diligence 1,

Shew - Stand by 13, present 9, yield 5, show 2, stand 2, misc 11 metaph. i.e to bring into one's fellowship or intimacy

Approved 6 times, tried 1 time only. According to Strong's, this word approved means

1) accepted, particularly of coins and money.

2) accepted, pleasing, acceptable

Background behind being approved: In the ancient world there was no banking system as we know it today, and no paper money. All money was made from metal, heated until liquid, poured into moulds and allowed to cool. When the coins were cooled, it was necessary to smooth off the uneven edges. The coins were comparatively soft and of course many people shaved them closely. In one century, more than eighty laws were passed in Athens, to stop the practice of shaving down the coins then in circulation. But some money changers were men of integrity, who would accept no counterfeit money. They were men of honour who put only genuine full weighted money into circulation. Such men were called "dokimos" or "approved". DONALD BARNHOUSE

Rightly Divide occurs once in Strong's and is a compound word.

1) to cut straight, to cut straight ways;

1a) to proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course, equiv. to doing right

2) to make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly.

Rightly Divide Base words

1) straight, erect

1a) upright 1b) straight, not crooked 1) as if by a single stroke as opposed to repeated blows, like hacking

Unlike the similar, but totally different compound words dividing asunder in...

Hebrews 4:12 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. (KJV)

dividing asunder

1) a division, partition, 1a) distribution (of various kinds)

2) a separation, 2a) so far as to cleave asunder or separate

To summarize this section from the above descriptions... The Bible is one book. Let's not hack it up as this is the opposite of what Paul is saying. Instead, to proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course, equiv. to doing right, to make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly.

Word 218, saying 50, account 8, speech 8, Word (Christ) 7, thing 5

My paraphrase is as follows: Be diligent to present thyself approved (not counterfeiting) unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, proceeding on straight paths, doing right, to handle correctly, or to teach directly and correctly the word of truth.

Be diligent to present thyself approved to God, a not ashamed, straightly cutting the word of truth. GREEK NEW TESTEMENT, INTERLINEAR, BASED UPON THE GREEK TEXT OF STEPHENS 1550.

Context of the verse - Rightly Dividing the Word

2 Timothy 2:16 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (KJV)

Paul goes on, as in all of his other passages relating to the Word, rather than endorsing division of the text or the Bible, he is exhorting all to continue correctly - in other passages Paul says: not handling the word of God deceitfully; the washing of water by the word; Holding forth the word of life...

Problems with the 'doctrine' of "rightly dividing the word"

This doctrine has been used by some to dismiss Jesus's warnings, explain away divorce because it doesn't apply, introduce bondage or freedoms because the word can be 'divided' and kept from touching you.

What benefit would Satan have if we lost any part of the Bible? What benefit would Satan have if we lose the gospels, the direct words of Jesus - The one who came to say far more than just a few things to a generation of Jews?