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2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 in Multiple Translations

Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.

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

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

Let it be your care to get the approval of God, as a workman who has no cause for shame, giving the true word in the right way.

Make sure you work hard so you can present yourself to God and gain his approval. Be a worker that doesn't need to be embarrassed, using the word of truth correctly.

Studie to shewe thy selfe approued vnto God, a workeman that needeth not to be ashamed, diuiding the worde of trueth aright.

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

Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

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

Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

◄Do your best/Try hard► to be the kind of person that God will approve of. Be like a good worker as you teach the true message accurately. If a worker works well, he will not need to be ashamed of (OR, will be pleased about) what he does.

Try your best to be the sort of teacher that God likes. He likes teachers that teach the true message, and that help people understand it properly. That’s how you have to work for God.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Timothy 2:15

BAB
Word Study

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2 Timothy 2:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK σπουδασον σεαυτον δοκιμον παραστησαι τω θεω εργατην ανεπαισχυντον ορθοτομουντα τον λογον της αληθειας
σπουδασον spoudazō G4704 be eager Verb-AAM-2S
σεαυτον seautou G4572 yourself F-2ASM
δοκιμον dokimos G1384 tested Adj-ASM
παραστησαι paristēmi G3936 to stand by Verb-AAN
τω ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DSM
θεω theos G2316 God Noun-DSM
εργατην ergatēs G2040 worker Noun-ASM
ανεπαισχυντον anepaischuntos G422 unashamed Adj-ASM
ορθοτομουντα orthotomeō G3718 to cut straight Verb-PAP-ASM
τον ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASM
λογον logos G3056 word Noun-ASM
της ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSF
αληθειας alētheia G225 truth Noun-GSF
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 2 Timothy 2:15

σπουδασον spoudazō G4704 "be eager" Verb-AAM-2S
To be eager or make an effort is what this word means, as seen in Galatians 2:10 and Ephesians 4:3. It's about being prompt and earnest in one's actions, like in 2 Timothy 2:15 and Titus 3:12. This attitude is encouraged throughout the New Testament.
Definition: σπουδάζω (σπουδή), [in LXX chiefly for בָּהַל ;] to make haste; hence, to be zealous or eager, to give diligence: with inf. (see M, Pr., 205 f.), Gal.2:10, Eph.4:3, 1Th.2:17, 2Ti.2:15 4:9 4:21, Tit.3:12, Heb.4:11, 2Pe.1:10 3:14; with accusative and inf. (on this construction see Mayor in l; MM, xxiii), 2Pe.1:15 (for other constructions see LS, see word).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 11 NT verses. KJV: do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study See also: 1 Thessalonians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:9; Hebrews 4:11.
σεαυτον seautou G4572 "yourself" F-2ASM
Yourself refers to a person's own actions or thoughts, like in Matthew 4:6 and John 8:13. It's about taking care of or thinking about oneself.
Definition: σεαυτοῦ, -ῆς, -οῦ (in NT not contracted, σαυτοῦ, as in Att..), reflex. prop. of 2nd of person(s) sing., used only in genitive, dative and accusative (of, to) thyself: Mat.4:6, Jhn.8:13, 1Ti.4:16, al. (In Hellenistic, the pl. is ἑαυτῶν (which see), not ὑμῶν αὐτῶν as in Attic, see Bl., § 13, 1.) † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 40 NT verses. KJV: thee, thine own self, (thou) thy(-self) See also: 1 Timothy 4:7; Luke 5:14; James 2:8.
δοκιμον dokimos G1384 "tested" Adj-ASM
Something or someone that has been tested and approved. In 1 Peter 1:7, faith is tested and approved like gold.
Definition: δοκίμιος, -α, -ον (δοκιμή), [in LXX: ἀργύριον δ. (עֲלִיל), Psa.12:6; and as seel. for δόκιμος (B), ἀργυρίου δ. (זָקַק pual.), 1Ch.29:4 (Bab); εἰ δ .ίστιν (יְקָר), Zec.11:13 א with a vid, Q *)* ;] = δόκιμος, tested, approved: τὸ δ. ὑμῶν τ. πίστεως, that which is approved in your faith, 1Pe.1:7 (where Hort suggests the seel. δόκιμος, found in some cursives), Jas.1:3 (but see Mayor, in l For full discussion of this word, not hitherto found in a Gk. Lexicon, and for exx. of its use in π., see Deiss. (to whom is due the credit of its discovery), BS, 259 ff.; MM, Exp., xi; cf. also Milligan, NTD, 76).† δόκιμος, -ον (δέκομαι = δέχομαι) [in LXX for זָקַק pual., etc. ;] primarily of metals, tested, accepted, approved: of persons, Rom.14:18 16:10, 1Co.11:19, 2Co.10:18 13:7, 2Ti.2:15, Jas.1:12 (Cremer, 212, 697).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: approved, tried See also: 1 Corinthians 11:19; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:12.
παραστησαι paristēmi G3936 "to stand by" Verb-AAN
To stand by means to be at hand, aid, or recommend someone, as in Acts 9:41 and Romans 6:13. This verb is about supporting or presenting something or someone, often in a helpful way.
Definition: παρ-ίστημι [in LXX for עָמַד, etc. ;] __I. Transitive verb. in present tense., imperfect., future tense., 1 aorist.; __1. to place beside, present, provide: with accusative, Act.9:41 23:24, 2Co.4:14, Col.1:28; with accusative and dative, Mat.26:53, Luk.2:22, Act.1:3 23:33, 1Co.8:8; before accusative pred., Rom.6:13, 16 (late pres., παριστάνετε), Rom.6:19 12:1, 2Co.11:2, Eph.5:27, Col.1:22, 2Ti.2:15. __2. to present to the mind (cl.) : by argument, to prove (Xen., FlJ, al.), with accusative, Act.24:13. __II. Intransitive. in perfect., pluperfect., 2 aorist.; __1. to stand by or beside one : with dative of person(s), Act.1:10 9:39 23:2 27:23; ptcp., Mrk.14:47, 69-70 15:35, 39 Jhn.18:22 19:26. __2. to appear: with nom. pred., before ἐνώπιον, Act.4:10; with dative of person(s), Act.27:24; so fut. mid. (of. LS, see word, B, ii, 2), Rom.14:10. __3. to be at hand, be present, have come: Act.4:26 (LXX); of servants in attendance, ἐνώπιον τ. θεοῦ, Luk.1:19; absol., οἱ παρεστῶτες, Luk.19:24; before αὐτῷ, Act.23:2, 4; of time, Mrk.4:29 __4. to stand by for help or defence (Hom., Dem., Xen., al.): with dative of person(s), Rom.16:2, 2Ti.4:17.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 39 NT verses. KJV: assist, bring before, command, commend, give presently, present, prove, provide, shew, stand (before, by, here, up, with), yield See also: 1 Corinthians 8:8; Colossians 1:28; Romans 6:13.
τω ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DSM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
θεω theos G2316 "God" Noun-DSM
This word simply means God, referring to the one true deity. It is used throughout the New Testament, including in Matthew 27:46 and Acts 14:11, to describe the supreme being and creator of the universe.
Definition: θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. __1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. __2. Of the one true God; __(a) anarthrous: Mat.6:24, Luk.20:38, al.; esp. with prep. (Kühner 3, iii, 605), ἀπὸ θ., Jhn.3:2; ἐκ, Act.5:39, 2Co.5:1, Php.3:9; ὑπό, Rom.13:1; παρὰ θεοῦ, Jhn.1:6; παρὰ θεῷ, 2Th.1:6, 1Pe.2:4; κατὰ θεόν, Rom.8:27, 2Co.7:9, 10; also when in genitive dependent on an anarth. noun (Bl., §46, 6), Mat.27:43, Luk.3:2, Rom.1:17, 1Th.2:13; as pred., Lk 20:38, Jhn.1:1, and when the nature and character rather than the person of God is meant, Act.5:29, Gal.2:6, al. (M, Th., 14); __(b) more freq., with art.: Mat.1:23, Mrk.2:7, al. mult.; with prep., ἀπὸ τ. θ., Luk.1:26; ἐκ, Jhn.8:42, al.; παρὰ τοῦ θ., Jhn.8:40; π. τῷ θ., Rom.9:14; ἐν, Col.3:3; ἐπὶ τῷ θ., Luk.1:47; ἐπὶ τὸν θ., Act.15:19; εἰς τ. θ., Act.24:15; πρὸς τ. θ., Jhn.1:2; with genitive of person(s), Mat.22:32, Mrk.12:26, 27, Luk.20:37, Jhn.20:17, al.; ὁ θ. μου, Rom.1:8, Php 1:3, al.; ὁ θ. καὶ πατήρ κ. τ. λ., Rom.15:6, Eph.1:3, Phi 4:20, al.; with genitive of thing(s), Rom.15:5, 13, 33, 2Co.1:3, 1Th.5:23; τὰ τ. θεοῦ, Mat.16:23, Mrk.12:17, 1Co.2:11; τὰ πρὸς τὸν θ., Rom.15:17, Heb.2:17 5:1; τ. θεῷ, as a superl. (LXX, Jos.3:3), Act.7:20, 2Co.10:4; Hebraistically, of judges (Psa.81(82):6), Jhn.10:34" (LXX), 35. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1170 NT verses. KJV: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 John 4:2; 1 Peter 1:2.
εργατην ergatēs G2040 "worker" Noun-ASM
This word means worker or laborer, often describing a field worker or husbandman. In the Bible, it is used to describe various types of workers, including Christian teachers and preachers.
Definition: ἐργάτης, -ου, ὁ (ἐργάζομαι, which see), [in LXX: Wis.17:17, Sir.19:1 40:18, 1Ma.3:6 * ;] __1. prop., a field labourer, husbandman: Mat.9:37-38 20:1-2, 8, Luk.10:2, Jas.5:4 (cf. Wis, l.with). __2. Generally, a workman, labourer: Mat.10:10, Luk.10:7, Act.19:25 (opposite to τεχνίτης), 1Ti.5:18; of Christian teachers, 2Co.11:13, Php.3:2, 2Ti.2:15. __3. a worker, doer: τ. ἀδικίας, Luk.13:27 (cf. 1Mac, l.with).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: labourer, worker(-men) See also: 1 Timothy 5:18; Luke 13:27; James 5:4.
ανεπαισχυντον anepaischuntos G422 "unashamed" Adj-ASM
This word means being unashamed, not feeling embarrassed about something. Paul told Timothy to be unashamed of the gospel in 2 Timothy 2:15, to stand firm in his faith. It's about being confident and honest.
Definition: ἀν-επ-αίσχυντος, -ον (ἐπαισχύνομαι) not to be put to shame: 2Ti.2:15.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: --that needeth not to be ashamed See also: 2 Timothy 2:15.
ορθοτομουντα orthotomeō G3718 "to cut straight" Verb-PAP-ASM
To cut straight means to guide or direct something correctly, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:15 where it refers to handling the truth of God's word. This concept is about being accurate and precise in our actions and decisions. It is translated as 'rightly divide' in the KJV.
Definition: ὀρθοτομέω, -ῶ (- ὀρθός, τέμνω), [in LXX: Pro.3:6 11:6 (יָשַׁר pi.)* ;] to cut straight, as a road (τ. ὁδούς, figuratively, Pr, ll with). Metaphorical, τ. λόγον τ. ἀληθείας, 2Ti.2:15 (V. Ellic. and CGT, in l; not found elsewhere).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: rightly divide See also: 2 Timothy 2:15.
τον ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
λογον logos G3056 "word" Noun-ASM
In the Bible, this word refers to a message or idea expressed through words, like in Matthew 8:8 and Luke 7:7. It's not just a single word, but a whole thought or concept. Jesus used this word to teach about God's kingdom.
Definition: λόγος, -ου, ὁ (λέγω) [in LXX chiefly for דָּבָר, also for מִלָּה ,אֵמֶר, etc. ;] __I. Of that by which the inward thought is expressed, Lat. oratio, sermo, vox, verbum. __1. a word, not in the grammatical sense of a mere name (ἔπος, ὄνομα, ῥῆμα), but a word as embodying a conception or idea: Mat.8:8, Luk.7:7, 1Co.14:9, 19 Heb.12:19, al. __2. a saying, statement, declaration: Mat.19:22 (T om.), Mrk.5:36 7:29, Luk.1:29, Jhn.2:22 6:60, Act.7:29, al.; with genitive attrib., Act.13:15, Rom.9:9, Heb.7:28, al.; of the sayings, commands, promises, etc., of teachers, Mat.7:24 10:14, Mrk.8:38, Luk.9:4, Jhn.14:24, al.; λ. κενοί, Eph.5:6; ἀληθινοί, Rev.19:9; πιστοί, Rev.22:6; esp. of the precepts, decrees and promises of God, ὁ λ. τ. θεοῦ, the word of God: Mrk.7:13, Jhn.10:35, Rom.13:9, 1Co.14:36, Php.1:14, al.; absol., ὁ λ., Mat.13:21, 22 Mrk.16:[20], Luk.1:2, Act.6:4, Heb.4:12, al. __3. speech, discourse: Act.14:12, 2Co.10:10, Jas.3:2; opposite to ἐπιστολή, 2Th.2:15; disting, from σοφία, 1Co.2:1; ἀναστροφή, 1Ti.4:12; δύναμις, 1Co.4:19, 1Th.1:5; ἔργον, Rom.15:18; οὐδενὸς λ. τίμιον (not worthy of mention), Act.20:24; of the faculty of speech, Luk.24:19, 2Co.11:6; of the style of speech, Mat.5:37, 1Co.1:5; of instruction, Col.4:3, 1Pe.3:1; with genitive of person(s), Jhn.5:24 8:52, Act.2:41, al.; ὁ λ. ὁ ἐμός, Jhn.8:31; with genitive obj. (τ.) ἀληθείας, 2Co.6:7, Col.1:5, Jas.1:18; τ. καταλλαγῆς, 2Co.5:19; τ. σταυροῦ, 1Co.1:18; of mere talk, 1Co.4:19, 2o, Col.2:23, 1Jn.3:18; of the talk which one occasions, hence, repute: Col.2:23. __4. subject-matter, hence, teaching, doctrine: Act.18:15, 2Ti.2:17, al.; esp. of Christian doctrine: Mat.13:20-23, Mrk.4:14-20 8:32, Luk.1:2, Act.8:4, Gal.6:6, 1Th.1:6, al.; with genitive of person(s), τ. θεοῦ, Luk.5:1, Jhn.17:6, Act.4:29, 1Co.14:36, I Jhn.1:10, Rev.6:9, al.; τ. Κυρίου, Act.8:25, 1Th.1:8, al.; τ. Χριστοῦ, Col.3:16, Rev.3:8; with genitive appos., Act.15:7; with genitive attrib., Heb.5:13. __5. a story, tale, narrative: Mat.28:15, Jhn.21:23, Act.1:1 11:22; before περί, Luk.5:15. __6. That which is spoken of (Plat., al.; V. Kennedy, Sources, 124), matter, affair, thing: Mat.21:24, Mrk.1:45 11:29, Luk.20:3, Act.8:21; of a matter in dispute, as a case or suit at law, Act.19:38; pl. (1Ma.7:33, al.), Luk.1:4. __II. Of the inward thought itself, Lat. ratio. __1. reason, __(a) of the mental faculty (Hdt., Plat., al.): κατὰ λόγον, Act.18:14; __(b) a reason, cause: τίνι λόγῳ, Act.10:29; παρεκτὸς λόγου πορνείας, Mat.5:32 19:9, WH, mg., R, mg. __2. account, __(a) regard: Act.20:24, Rec.; __(b) reckoning: Php.4:15, 17; συναίρειν (which see) λ., Mat.18:23 25:19; in forensic sense, Rom.14:12, Heb.13:17, 1Pe.4:5; with genitive of thing(s), Luk.16:2; before περί, Mat.12:36, Act.19:40, 1Pe.3:15. __3. proportion, analogy: Php.2:16 (Field, Notes, 193 f.). __III. ὁ λ., the Divine Word or Logos: Jhn.1:1, 14; τ. ζωῆς, 1Jn.1:1; τ. θεοῦ, Rev.19:13 (see Westc, Swete, CGT, in ll.; reff. in Artt., Logos, DB, DCG). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 317 NT verses. KJV: account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work See also: 1 Corinthians 1:5; Acts 13:49; 1 Peter 1:23.
της ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSF
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
αληθειας alētheia G225 "truth" Noun-GSF
The Greek word for truth, meaning the reality of a matter, is used in Romans 9:1 and Galatians 2:5 to describe Christian doctrine. It can also mean truthfulness, as in being honest. Jesus teaches about truth in John 8:32.
Definition: ἀλήθεια, -ας, ἡ (ἀληθής), [in LXX chiefly for אֱמֶת (on which, see Cremer, 627f.), אֱמוּנָה ;] truth (see DB, iv, 818f.). __1. Objectively, "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter" (Cremer, 86): Rom.9:1, al.; of religious truth, Rom.1:25, al.; esp. of Christian doctrine, Gal.2:5, al.; ἀ. θεοῦ, Rom.15:8. __2. Subjectively, truthfulness, truth, not merely verbal (cl.), but sincerity and integrity of character: Jhn.8:44, 3Jo.3. __3. In phrases (MM, VGT, see word): ἐπ᾽ ἀληθείας, Mrk.12:14, al.; ἀ. λέγειν (εἰπεῖν, λαλεῖν), Rom.9:1, 2Co.12:6, Eph.4:25, al.; ἀ. ποιεῖν, Jhn.3:21, 1Jn.1:6 (cf. DB, iv, 818b, ff.). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 99 NT verses. KJV: true, X truly, truth, verity See also: 1 Corinthians 5:8; Ephesians 4:24; 1 Peter 1:22.

Study Notes — 2 Timothy 2:15

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.
2 2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,
3 1 Timothy 4:6 By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
4 2 Corinthians 10:18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
5 2 Corinthians 5:9 So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it.
6 1 Timothy 4:12–16 Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders. Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
7 2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
8 2 Corinthians 4:2 Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
9 Galatians 1:10 Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
10 2 Peter 1:15 And I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure, you will be able to recall these things at all times.

2 Timothy 2:15 Summary

This verse, 2 Timothy 2:15, is encouraging us to strive to be the best we can be for God, by studying and understanding His word, and being faithful in our service to Him. It's about being confident and unapologetic in our witness, while also being humble and dependent on God's strength, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. To do this, we need to focus on accurately handling the word of truth, and avoiding fruitless arguments and distractions, as warned in 2 Timothy 2:14. By doing so, we can be faithful stewards of the Gospel, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 4:2, and live a life that is pleasing to God, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:9.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be an 'unashamed workman' in 2 Timothy 2:15?

To be an unashamed workman means to be confident and unapologetic in one's service to God, knowing that they are doing their best to accurately handle the word of truth, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:15, and being faithful stewards of the Gospel, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 4:2.

How can I 'accurately handle the word of truth' as mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:15?

Accurately handling the word of truth involves studying and understanding Scripture, such as through diligent reading and meditation on God's word, as exhorted in Psalm 119:148, and being mindful of the context and intended meaning, as warned in 2 Peter 3:16.

What is the importance of presenting myself 'approved to God' in 2 Timothy 2:15?

Presenting oneself approved to God means to live a life that is pleasing to Him, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:9, and being faithful in one's service and witness, knowing that we will all give an account to God, as mentioned in Romans 14:12.

How does this verse relate to avoiding quarrels over words, as mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:14?

This verse is connected to avoiding quarrels over words because it emphasizes the importance of focusing on accurately handling the word of truth, rather than engaging in fruitless arguments, which can lead to ruin, as warned in 2 Timothy 2:14, and instead striving to be a faithful and unashamed workman for God, as encouraged in 2 Timothy 2:15.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can 'make every effort' to present myself approved to God in my daily life?
  2. How can I balance being an 'unashamed workman' with being humble and dependent on God's strength, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10?
  3. In what ways can I 'accurately handle the word of truth' in my interactions with others, such as in evangelism or discipleship?
  4. What are some potential consequences of not accurately handling the word of truth, and how can I guard against these in my own life?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Timothy 2:15

Study to show thyself approved unto God,.... The Alexandrian copy reads, "to Christ"; see Romans 16:10.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Study , [ Spoudason (G4704)] - 'Be earnest.' To show , [ parasteesai (G3936)] - 'present,' as in Romans 12:1.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:15

Study to show thyself approved unto God; let it be thy study, not to please men, to get their hum and applause for speaking quaintly, learnedly, or smoothly, but to approve thyself to God, who is thy Master in this work, and whom thou oughtest to serve. A workman that needeth not to be ashamed; a workman that doth his work so well, and faithfully, that he need not be ashamed, whoever looketh and judgeth upon it. Rightly dividing the word of truth; oryotomounta, rightly cutting out; we translate it rightly dividing: it is not material whether the metaphor be drawn from the priests right cutting out their sacrifices, so as all had their shares in them; or from carpenters cutting out their timber, cutting off the sappy part, and by a right line dividing the other parts; or from cooks, or carvers, or parents rightly dividing a dish of meat among several guests or children; or from those that use to cut out ways; or from husbandmen cutting out furrows, &c. The sense is, rightly handling the word of God, and giving to all their portion. For their notion who would make the sense of it, cutting out a right way for others by thy example, because the word oryotomein sometimes signifies to cut a right way, it no way agreeth to the text, for whatever the verb signifies alone, he is meanly skilled in the Greek that knows not it cannot have that sense, being joined (as here) with ton logon thv alhyeiav, the word of truth.

Trapp's Commentary on 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. Ver. 15. Study to show thyself] There are crept into God’ s sanctuary such Levites to divide the word, that are not worthy the place of Gibeonites to cleave wood; like those unlearned logicians in Plato, Lacerant doctrinas, sicut caniculi panniculos, saith he; they tear up a text, and torment it, they wrest the Scriptures and wrong them, set them upon the rack, and make them speak what they never meant. These should be driven from the work, as those bastard Levites were by the Tirshatha, Ezra 2:63. Rightly dividing the word of God] The Syriac renders it, "Rightly preaching the word." Aeschines saith, an orator’ s oration and the law (so a preacher’ s sermon and the word) must be unisons. And if Galen could say, that in anatomizing man’ s brain, physicians must carry themselves as men do in the temple, how much more must divines do so, in dividing God’ s Holy Word! The metaphor seems to be taken either from the priests of the law, who were to cut up the sacrifices accurately, and to lay them upon the altar orderly; or else from householders, that cut and carve to every one at table their share of meat. So must ministers, and not do as he in the emblem, that gave straw to the dog and a bone to the ass, but see that every one have their proper portion: this is workmanlike, such as need not be ashamed. χρητοαυτοφθεγγεσθαιτονρητορακαιτοννομον. Aesch.

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:15

(15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.—Timothy, and those in the position of Timothy, were to show themselves approved unto God, by turning others, over whom they possessed influence, from the pursuit of vain and unprofitable things. Then their work would be the work of workmen tested by trial, and would be found to have stood the test. (Comp. here 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, where the final testing of the work done by God’s workmen, such as Timothy, is spoken of in very clear, heart-searching language.) His own words in the First Epistle to the Corinthians were evidently in St. Paul’s mind when he wrote down this direction to Timothy. Rightly dividing the word of truth.—Better rendered rightly laying out the word of truth. The Greek word translated in the English version “rightly dividing,” literally signifies “cutting a straight line.” It seems most correct to regard it as a metaphor from laying out a road (see Proverbs 3:6, in the LXX. rendering, where the word is so used), “or drawing a furrow, the merit of which consists in the straightness with which the work of cutting, or laying out, is performed. The word of truth is, as it were, a road which is to be laid out straightly and truly.” So Ellicott. To affirm (see Alford and Huther-Meyer) that the notion of “cutting” had been gradually lost, and that the word already in the time of St. Paul signified simply “to manage rightly,” “to treat truthfully without falsifying,” and that the exact opposite is to corrupt or adulterate the Word of God (2 Corinthians 2:17), seems premature. (Comp. Eur. Rhesus, 422, ed. Dindorf.) In the third century, Clement of Alexandria (Stromata, 7), for instance, certainly uses the word in a sense in which the idea of “cutting” has been lost, when he writes orthotomia (a substantive) as an equivalent for orthodoxia—orthodoxy. It is not improbable that the use of the word here by St. Paul gave the word a fresh starting-point, and that gradually the original meaning passed out of sight.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:15

Verse 15. Study to show thyself approved unto God] Endeavour so to cultivate and improve thy heart and mind, that thou mayest not be a reproach to him from whom thou professest to receive thy commission. Rightly dividing the word of truth.] It is generally supposed that the apostle alludes here to the care taken to divide the sacrifices under the law; the priests studied, in dividing the victim down the spine, to do it so scrupulously that one half of the spinal marrow should be found on each side the backbone. Probably nothing was much farther from the apostle's thoughts than this view, which is now commonly taken of the subject. Indeed this scrupulously dividing does not appear to have been any original ordinance among the Jews; much stress was laid upon it in later times, but from the beginning it was not so. The word ορθοτομειν signifies, 1. Simply to cut straight, or to rectify. 2. To walk in the right way; it is thus used by Gregory Nazianzen, who, in Orat. Apol. fugae, opposes ορθοτομειν to κακωςοδευειν, walking in a right way to walking in a bad way. Thus, καινοτομειν signifies to walk in a new way, and κατευθυνειν to walk in a straight way. See Kypke. Therefore, by rightly dividing the word of truth, we are to understand his continuing in the true doctrine, and teaching that to every person; and, according to our Lord's simile, giving each his portion of meat in due season-milk to babes, strong meat to the full grown, comfort to the disconsolate, reproof to the irregular and careless; in a word, finding out the necessities of his hearers, and preaching so as to meet those necessities.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Timothy 2:15

15. ‘Let your own example back your precepts to your teachers.’ The stress therefore is to be laid on ‘thyself.’Study to shew thyself] Take pains to present thyself; both verbs are aorists, because that tense gives the verbal idea always, and the force intended here is ‘Have for your ideal in work and aim “thorough.” ’approved unto God] Or ‘one who has stood God’s testing’; so the substantive in Philippians 2:22 ‘ye know the proof,’ i.e. the approved character ‘of Timothy.’ In one respect, that is, the Philippians had themselves tested Timothy, viz. how he had served with St Paul in furtherance of the Gospel. The opposite word, ‘unable to stand the test’ occurs Titus 1:16 where see note; and ch. 2 Timothy 3:8.a workman] Implying zeal and activity, as, in a bad cause, Philippians 3:2.that needeth not to be ashamed] Only here in N.T.; in Joseph. Antt. xviii. 7. 1 in the same sense ‘nor think that one should-not-be-ashamed to be inferior.’ In classical Greek ‘shameless’ ‘impudent’ is the force of the cognate word. Both senses come from the proper meaning of the verbal ending ‘that which cannot be made ashamed.’ Vulg. ‘operarium inconfusibilem.’rightly dividing] This is the literal meaning, whether we refer the dividing to the sacrificial division of victims or to the distributing of bread or to the cutting of a road; or better, with R.V. apparently, take Theodoret’s interpretation ‘we praise those husbandmen who cut their furrows straight,’ and so get for our second rendering ‘holding a straight course in the word of truth’ (R.V. margin) and for our third (R.V. text) handling aright the word of truth. The word does not occur again in N.T. or classical Greek; but in LXX. Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 11:5, ‘he shall direct thy paths,’ ‘the righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way.’ Vulg. ‘recte tractantem.’the word of truth] The facts, the doctrines, the creeds, through which God’s true work and will for man are revealed.

Barnes' Notes on 2 Timothy 2:15

Study to show thyself approved unto God - Give diligence 2 Peter 2:10, or make an effort so to discharge the duties of the ministerial office as to meet the divine approbation. The object of the ministry is not to please men.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:15

15. Study—Be earnest or zealous. A workman—A labourer, whether husbandman or artisan. Rightly dividing the word—Commentators greatly differ as to the figure.

Sermons on 2 Timothy 2:15

SermonDescription
Francis Schaeffer What Is Truth by Francis Schaeffer In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of acting upon the knowledge of the truth in order to experience peace. He emphasizes that God wants all people to be saved a
Keith Daniel (2008 Usa Tour) Preachers in the Last Days! by Keith Daniel In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for preachers to separate themselves from worldly influences and dedicate themselves fully to preaching the word of God. He critici
Leonard Ravenhill The Enemy of Revival - Part 2 (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Samson from the Bible. He highlights how Samson was a powerful man who performed great feats, such as ripping the gates of a cit
Leonard Ravenhill Die, Wait, and Get Alone by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that believing in Jesus is not enough, there is something more that God needs to do in us. The preacher refers to the Gospel of John and exp
Alan Redpath (Sermon Preparation) Lecture 02 by Alan Redpath In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of embracing one's own individuality when preaching and proclaiming the gospel. He highlights that the New Testament writers h
Manley Beasley A Certain Sound by Manley Beasley In this sermon, the speaker begins by asking for prayers for the upcoming multimedia presentation in Europe. He then reads a passage from the Bible and discusses the importance of
David Wilkerson Not With the Sword of Man by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of learning from the examples in the Old Testament. He encourages the audience to seek the keys to overcoming sin, flesh, and

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