The Meaning of 2 Timothy 2:15 Explained

2 Timothy 2:15

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

YLT: be diligent to present thyself approved to God -- a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the word of the truth;

Darby: Strive diligently to present thyself approved to God, a workman that has not to be ashamed, cutting in a straight line the word of truth.

ASV: Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Study  to shew  thyself  approved  unto God,  a workman  that needeth not to be ashamed,  rightly dividing  the word  of truth. 

What does 2 Timothy 2:15 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Positively, in contrast, Timothy should be "diligent" (lit. zealous) to make sure that when he stood before God he would receive the Lord"s approval and not be ashamed (cf. 1 John 2:28). [1] Most important in gaining this goal was the way he would proclaim God"s truth. He must teach it consistent with God"s intended meaning and purpose. "Handling accurately" (lit. cutting straight) is a figure that paints a picture of a workman who is careful and accurate in his work. The Greek word (orthotomounta) elsewhere describes a tentmaker who makes straight rather than wavy cuts in his material. It pictures a builder who lays bricks in straight rows and a farmer who plows a straight furrow. [2] The way a minister of the gospel presents the Word of God was of primary importance to Paul, and it should be to us. The Greek word ergaten (workman) stresses the laborious nature of the task rather than the skill needed to perform it.

Context Summary

2 Timothy 2:10-18 - "approved Unto God"
The elect, 2 Timothy 2:10-13 : The Apostle sketches the experiences of the elect soul. It must endure, suffer, and die with Christ, that out of its surrender may come the truest, richest life, John 12:25. There is no path to lasting success save that of the cross and grave of Christ. It has been allotted to the redeemed in the divine program; each must tread it separately and with resolute purpose. But there is no doubt as to the sequel of a true life. The world of men may count it a failure, but God pledges Himself that as the pendulum swings here in the dark, it shall swing equally in yonder world of light. Three things are impossible with God-to die, to lie, and to fail the soul that trusts Him. Even when we cannot muster faith enough, His word of promise cannot be frustrated in the case of those whose faith is weak and trembling as the smoking flax.
The workman, 2 Timothy 2:14-18 : The one anxiety with us all should be to stand approved before God. As the r.v. margin suggests, we must hold a straight course in the word of truth. Our testimony should resemble an undeviating furrow. Let us construct in our life something which will be a permanent addition to the well-being of the world, so that at the last the Master may say that He is satisfied. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Timothy 2

1  Timothy is exhorted again to constancy and perseverance
17  Of Hymenaeus and Philetus
19  The foundation of the Lord is sure
22  He is taught whereof to beware, and what to follow after

Greek Commentary for 2 Timothy 2:15

Give diligence [σπουδασον]
First aorist active imperative of σπουδαζω — spoudazō old word, as in 1 Thessalonians 2:17; Galatians 2:10. [source]
To present [παραστησαι]
First aorist active infinitive of παριστημι — paristēmi as in Colossians 1:22, Colossians 1:28. Approved unto God (δοκιμον τωι τεωι — dokimon tōi theōi). Dative case τεωι — theōi with δοκιμον — dokimon predicate accusative, old adjective (from δεχομαι — dechomai), for which see note on 1 Corinthians 11:19; 2 Corinthians 10:18. A workman See 2 Corinthians 11:3; Philemon 3:2. That needeth not to be ashamed (ανεπαισχυντον — anepaischunton). Late double compound verbal adjective (α — a privative, επαισχυνω — epaischunō), in Josephus and here alone. Handling aright Present active participle of ορτοτομεω — orthotomeō late and rare compound (ορτοτομος — orthotomos), cutting straight, ορτος — orthos and τεμνω — temnō), here only in N.T. It occurs in Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 11:5 for making straight paths (οδους — hodous) with which compare Hebrews 12:13 and “the Way” in Acts 9:2. Theodoret explains it to mean ploughing a straight furrow. Parry argues that the metaphor is the stone mason cutting the stones straight since τεμνω — temnō and ορτος — orthos are so used. Since Paul was a tent-maker and knew how to cut straight the rough camel-hair cloth, why not let that be the metaphor? Certainly plenty of exegesis is crooked enough (crazy-quilt patterns) to call for careful cutting to set it straight. [source]
Approved unto God [δοκιμον τωι τεωι]
Dative case τεωι — theōi with δοκιμον — dokimon predicate accusative, old adjective (from δεχομαι — dechomai), for which see note on 1 Corinthians 11:19; 2 Corinthians 10:18. [source]
A workman [εργατην]
See 2 Corinthians 11:3; Philemon 3:2. That needeth not to be ashamed (ανεπαισχυντον — anepaischunton). Late double compound verbal adjective (α — a privative, επαισχυνω — epaischunō), in Josephus and here alone. Handling aright Present active participle of ορτοτομεω — orthotomeō late and rare compound (ορτοτομος — orthotomos), cutting straight, ορτος — orthos and τεμνω — temnō), here only in N.T. It occurs in Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 11:5 for making straight paths (οδους — hodous) with which compare Hebrews 12:13 and “the Way” in Acts 9:2. Theodoret explains it to mean ploughing a straight furrow. Parry argues that the metaphor is the stone mason cutting the stones straight since τεμνω — temnō and ορτος — orthos are so used. Since Paul was a tent-maker and knew how to cut straight the rough camel-hair cloth, why not let that be the metaphor? Certainly plenty of exegesis is crooked enough (crazy-quilt patterns) to call for careful cutting to set it straight. [source]
That needeth not to be ashamed [ανεπαισχυντον]
Late double compound verbal adjective (α — a privative, επαισχυνω — epaischunō), in Josephus and here alone. [source]
Handling aright [ορτοτομουντα]
Present active participle of ορτοτομεω — orthotomeō late and rare compound (ορτοτομος — orthotomos), cutting straight, ορτος — orthos and τεμνω — temnō), here only in N.T. It occurs in Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 11:5 for making straight paths (οδους — hodous) with which compare Hebrews 12:13 and “the Way” in Acts 9:2. Theodoret explains it to mean ploughing a straight furrow. Parry argues that the metaphor is the stone mason cutting the stones straight since τεμνω — temnō and ορτος — orthos are so used. Since Paul was a tent-maker and knew how to cut straight the rough camel-hair cloth, why not let that be the metaphor? Certainly plenty of exegesis is crooked enough (crazy-quilt patterns) to call for careful cutting to set it straight. [source]
Study [σπούδασον]
Originally, make haste. In Paul, Galatians 2:10; Ephesians 4:3(note); 1 Thessalonians 2:17. [source]
To shew thyself approved [σεαυτὸν δόκιμον παραστῆσαι]
Παραστῆσαι , better, present. In Pastorals only here and 2 Timothy 4:17. Often in Acts and Paul. See on Acts 1:3; see on Romans 16:2; see on Ephesians 5:27. Δόκιμον approvedonly here in Pastorals, five times by Paul. See on James 1:12. See on δοκιμή approvedness Romans 5:4; and see on δοκιμάζειν toapprove on test, 1 Peter 1:7. [source]
A workman [ἐργάτης]
In Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:13; Philemon 3:2. In Pastorals, 1 Timothy 5:18. [source]
That needeth not to be ashamed [ἀνεπαίσχυντον]
N.T.oolxx, oClass. Lit. not made ashamed, as Philemon 1:20. A workman whose work does not disgrace him. [source]
Rightly dividing [ὀρθοτομοῦντα]
N.T.ooClass. In lxx, Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 11:5; both times in the sense of directing the way. From ὀρθός straightand τέμνειν tocut. Hence, to cut straight, as paths; to hold a straight course; generally, to make straight; to handle rightly. Vulg. recte tractare. The thought is that the minister of the gospel is to present the truth rightly, not abridging it, not handling it as a charlatan (see on 2 Corinthians 2:17), not making it a matter of wordy strife (2 Timothy 2:14), but treating it honestly and fully, in a straightforward manner. Various homiletic fancies have been founded on the word, as, to divide the word of truth, giving to each hearer what he needs: or, to separate it into its proper parts: or, to separate it from error: or, to cut straight through it, so that its inmost contents may be laid bare. Others, again, have found in it the figure of dividing the bread, which is the office of the household steward; or of dividing the sacrificial victims; or of cutting a straight furrow with the plough. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Timothy 2:15

Romans 14:18 Approved of men [δοκιμος τοις αντρωποις]
“Acceptable to men.” Stands the test for men. See note on 1 Corinthians 11:19; 2 Corinthians 10:18; 2 Timothy 2:15. [source]
2 Timothy 4:9 Do thy diligence [σπούδασον]
Earnestly endeavor. See on 2 Timothy 2:15, and comp. 2 Timothy 1:3. Do diligence and give diligence (2 Peter 1:10) are old English phrases. So Chaucer:“And night and day dide ever his diligenceHir for to please.”Manciple's T. 141.“And ech of hem doth al his diligence To doon un-to the feste reverence.”Clerke's T. 195 [source]
2 Timothy 2:10 Which is in Christ Jesus []
The phrase salvation which is in Christ Jesus, N.T.oFor other collocations with in Christ Jesus in Pastorals, see 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:13; 2 Timothy 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:9, 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:15. [source]
James 1:18 He brought us forth [απεκυησεν]
First aorist active indicative of αποκυεω — apokueō (James 1:15), only here of the father (4 Macc. 15:17), not of the mother. Regeneration, not birth of all men, though God is the Father in the sense of creation of all men (Acts 17:28.).By the word of truth (λογωι αλητειας — logōi alētheias). Instrumental case λογωι — logōi The reference is thus to the gospel message of salvation even without the article (2 Corinthians 6:7) as here, and certainly with the article (Colossians 1:5; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). The message marked by truth (genitive case αλητειας — alētheias).That we should be Purpose clause εις το — eis to and the infinitive ειναι — einai with the accusative of general reference ημας — hēmās (as to us).A kind of first-fruits (απαρχην τινα — aparchēn tina). “Some first-fruits” (old word from απαρχομαι — aparchomai), of Christians of that age. See Romans 16:5. [source]
James 1:18 By the word of truth [λογωι αλητειας]
Instrumental case λογωι — logōi The reference is thus to the gospel message of salvation even without the article (2 Corinthians 6:7) as here, and certainly with the article (Colossians 1:5; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). The message marked by truth (genitive case αλητειας — alētheias). [source]
2 Peter 1:10 Give the more diligence [μαλλον σπουδασατε]
“Become diligent (first aorist ingressive active imperative of σπουδαζω — spoudazō as in 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 1:15) the more” Present middle infinitive of ποιεω — poieō to make for yourselves.Calling and election Both words See for εκλογη — eklogē 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Romans 9:11.If ye do (ποιουντες — poiountes). Present active circumstantial (conditional) participle of ποιεω — poieō “doing.”Ye shall never stumble Strong double negative (ου μη ποτε — ou mē pote) with first aorist active subjunctive of πταιω — ptaiō old verb to stumble, to fall as in James 2:10; James 3:2. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Timothy 2:15 mean?

Hasten yourself approved to present - to God a workman not ashamed accurately handling the word - of truth
Σπούδασον σεαυτὸν δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ Θεῷ ἐργάτην ἀνεπαίσχυντον ὀρθοτομοῦντα τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας

Σπούδασον  Hasten 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: σπουδάζω  
Sense: to hasten, make haste.
σεαυτὸν  yourself 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Singular
Root: σεαυτοῦ  
Sense: thyself, thee.
δόκιμον  approved 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: δόκιμος  
Sense: accepted, particularly of coins and money.
παραστῆσαι  to  present 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: παριστάνω 
Sense: to place beside or near.
τῷ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεῷ  to  God 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἐργάτην  a  workman 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐργάτης  
Sense: a workman, a labourer.
ἀνεπαίσχυντον  not  ashamed 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀνεπαίσχυντος  
Sense: having no cause to be ashamed.
ὀρθοτομοῦντα  accurately  handling 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ὀρθοτομέω  
Sense: to cut straight, to cut straight ways.
λόγον  word 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: λόγος  
Sense: of speech.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀληθείας  of  truth 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἀλήθεια  
Sense: objectively.