“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
[2 Timothy 2:15]
If, like myself, you grew up in the church program for kids called AWANA, you heard this verse fairly often. Why? — because Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed.
But what does “rightly dividing” mean in this verse? And is it really that important when it comes to the “word of truth” (also known as the Word of God, Holy Bible, or simply The Book)? Lastly, if it is important, do we ever consider why?
The Greek word translated in English as “rightly dividing” was actually a term used for the exactness needed in carpentry, masonry, etc. or, in this context, to simply handle the Scriptures correctly. But, once again, beyond its definition is it really that important? I guess it depends on your answer to this question—was the American Civil War that important?
A famous quote by our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, says:
“Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.”[1]
Here’s the problem Lincoln faced: both fronts of the Civil War were claiming to be on “God’s side.” The North felt like they were on the side of God and the Bible to end and abolish slavery. The South thought they were on His side believing that slavery was something allowed and condoned by The Book itself. Professor and Civil War expert, Mark Noll, puts the situation like this:
“…In American society as a whole, there was no recognized authority greater than the individual interpretation of Scripture to deploy for the purpose of understanding the Scriptures. And in 1860 fundamental disagreement existed over what the Bible had to say about slavery at the very moment when disputes over slavery were creating the most serious crisis in the nation’s history.”[2]
An example of Scripture that preachers within the South would use to support their cause against the Union was:
“Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land….And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.”
[Jeremiah 1:14, 16] [3]
On the other side, a Biblical principle the North would use over and over to defend their stance against slavery was:
"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the
Law and the Prophets.”
[Matthew 7:12][4]
With these in mind, how could both sides use the same book of Scripture to support their very different and opposing causes? The answer is that we must conclude, like Lincoln, that only one of them could be “rightly dividing the word of truth:”
“In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.”[5]
This leads us back to our original question—since both sides of the Civil War could not be correct because of how contradictory they were, how important was it then and how important is it now that we are “rightly dividing the word of truth?” As parents, grandparents, and any other descriptive that comes with our place in life, how important is it that we are actually teaching and using the Bible correctly in our lives and in the training of those God has entrusted to our care? According to our original verse, 2 Timothy 2:15, it is especially important for three reasons.
First, it is important enough for God to call all of us to work at it. Now originally this verse was written from the Apostle Paul to Timothy, a young pastor, but God saw fit to include it in the Bible so that we might all benefit and learn from this letter and its content. That word “study” means to give diligence to, to exert oneself, and to labor over.
Secondly, it is critical to "rightly divide the word" to the extent that we will be approved by God if we do. That word “approved” means to be accepted and pleasing to. And which of us does not want to hear the approving words of Matthew 25:21 as we enter our eternal home — ”Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Lastly, it is paramount that we handle the Word of God correctly to the point that we will be ashamed if we fail to do so. Because if this verse says we should “not [be] ashamed” if we rightly divide the Word, what should we be if we don’t? The very opposite. That word “ashamed” means to disgrace and dishonor.
So, how important is it that we “rightly divide the word of truth?” Maybe we never divide a country again causing 620,000 casualties of war, but if today’s divide over the issue of Pride month even among Christians, is any indication, the need for this is most assuredly still relevant.[6]
Therefore, may we commit ourselves to this task by laboring over the Scriptures that we might be approved by Almighty God Himself and not be ashamed when we stand before Him one day in eternity.
“For God is not [the author] of confusion but of peace...”
[1 Corinthians 14:33]
[1] https://www.historynet.com/abraham-lincoln-quotes/
[2] Noll, Mark A., The Civil War as a Theological Crisis, (The University of North Carolina Press, 2006), p. 28-29.
[3] Godfield, David, Still Fighting the Civil War: The American South and Southern History, (LSU Press, 2013), p. 50.
[4] Noll, p. 43.
[5] https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/centers/boisi/pdf/f10/Meditations_on_the_divine_will.pdf
[6] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/heresy-boys-girls-webb/
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