An Approved Workman

GOLDEN TEXT: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” —II Timothy 2:15

II TIMOTHY 2:8-15

ALL fully consecrated followers of the Master are workmen for God, co-workers with him. (II Cor. 6:1) These share in the work of carrying out the great plan of God for the recovery of the human race from sin and death. Their instruction book is the Word of God. The Bible outlines what God has been doing down through the ages, and what he will yet do to fulfill his promised blessing of all the families of the earth.

Our share in the divine plan now involves the laying down of our lives as Jesus did. Paul wrote, “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.” (vss. 11,12) Thus Paul reminds us of the high reward that will go to all who faithfully suffer and die with the Master. To live with Christ means to be exalted to immortality with him; to reign with him means to have a share in his messianic kingdom which is to rule over the earth for a thousand years.

Since the Word of God is our guidebook pertaining to the things we are to do in the Lord’s service, it is essential that we understand it correctly in order to be approved workmen. Paul explains that we should “rightly divide the Word of truth.” In verse 18 he speaks of some who were at that time teaching that the resurrection of the dead was already past, indicating that this was a serious error. The Bible clearly teaches the resurrection of the dead. The error was in believing and teaching that it had already taken place in Paul’s day.

This would seem to suggest that one way to rightly divide the Word of God is to note the various time divisions in the plan of God, and apply its various texts to the proper ages and dispensations. The Bible tells of a time when the righteous will flourish. (Ps. 72:7; 92:12) It also says, “Now we call the proud happy: yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.” (Mal. 3:15) The first one of these texts applies to the time of Christ’s kingdom, and the other to the present time, when Satan is the prince of this world. Thus they are not contradictory.

God’s promises to the world of mankind, which will be fulfilled during the time of Messiah’s kingdom, describe earthly blessings of health and life. His promises to the followers of the Master of the present age pertain to heavenly blessings. Thus, in rightly dividing the Word of truth it is important to realize that there are these different promises applying to different individuals, otherwise the Bible might seem to be contradictory.

The Bible uses much symbolic language as well as literal language. It is important to determine in any text we read whether literal or symbolic language is being used. “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” This is symbolic language. (Ps. 23:1) But it is literal language when the Bible says that “the Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.” (Ps. 29:11) “The earth abideth forever,” the Bible says. (Eccles. 1:4) This is literal language, but the Bible also says that “the earth … and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (II Pet. 3:10) This is symbolic language. How important it is to note these distinctions if we are clearly to understand the plan of God!

II TIMOTHY 3:14-17

Paul exhorted Timothy to make the Scriptures the center of his ministry and life. This is important for all of the Lord’s people. We can assist each other through our personal fellowship, and through the ministry of the printed page, but the Bible should come first in everything. There is no divine authority for truth apart from the Bible. We will fail to remain spiritually healthy Christians if we lose sight of this.

It will be noted that the word “is” near the beginning of verse 16 is in italics. This indicates that it does not appear in the Greek text, but has been added by the translators for clarity. However, in this instance it confuses what Paul is saying. Without the word “is” the text reads, “All scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable for doctrine,” etc. The word “scripture” simply means writing, or script. Not all writing is inspired by God, but that which is inspired is profitable for the people of God to guide, reprove, correct, and instruct them, that they might be approved workmen who will not need to be ashamed.

QUESTIONS

In what manner are Christians co-workers with God?

What did Paul mean by “rightly dividing the Word of truth”?

Is all scripture given by inspiration of God?

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