“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJ21)
Much like a list of “do’s and don’ts,” 2 Timothy 2:14-15 offers guidance that can help us make good choices in our relationships with others as well as our relationship with God.
The “don’t” portion was given to us earlier in verse fourteen: “…avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets and undermines the faith of the hearers” (AMPC). The “do” portion follows next: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV).
The problem is that many who have access to the Bible often fail to read it, or fail to read it regularly. This makes it very difficult to “correctly handle the word of truth” as we’re told here in 2 Timothy 2:15. So how can we account for this unfortunate reality?
Well, we can begin by observing that people generally allocate their time according to the value they place upon a person, thing, or activity. Simply put, people make time for things they feel are important. Therefore, it may be helpful to conduct an honest assessment regarding the value we place upon reading God’s Word and prayerfully adjust that value accordingly.
There may be several other potential explanations as well…
- We may allow other priorities to take precedence over the Word of God.
- “Correctly handling the word of truth” takes discipline, commitment, and dedication. There may be times when we lack the motivation to apply these qualities to the act of reading the Scriptures.
- We may confine our Biblical studies to an area of personal interest (such as spiritual gifts, the end times, God’s sovereignty, or the Person and work of the Holy Spirit, to name a few examples). If we choose to spend the majority of our time in God’s Word with Biblical passages that relate to a specific area of interest, it will surely leave gaps and vulnerabilities in our spiritual knowledge.
- We may prefer topical messages that reference the Scriptures indirectly but do not focus upon the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).
If we find that we are not giving personal Bible study the priority it deserves, the right thing to do is to approach God with honesty and humility and acknowledge that reality. We can then ask Him to instill in us a desire to prioritize His Word in our lives. As we’re reminded in the New Testament book of Philippians, “…it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).