Wierwille, V.P.-Study Be Diligent
Study: Be Diligent
Another Study in Abundant Living by VICTOR PAUL WIERWILLE This book is in the public domain. For more teachings by V. P. Wierwille, E. W. Bullinger and others, go to: www.eternallyblessed.org The Scripture used throughout this study is quoted from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. Any explanatory insertions by the author within a Scripture verse are enclosed in brackets [ ]. In this booklet we are primarily concerned not with a whole chapter or even a verse of Scripture, but with one specific word. The word used for this example is from a well-known verse used in the foundational class on Power for Abundant Living.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The word "study" in the Greek is spoudason which can be elucidated and understood vividly by further research. Spoudason is a form of the word spoudazō. Using spoudazō we can trace other related Greek words to determine which are derivatives and which is the root word — the word from which all others are derived. Spoudazō is a derivative of speudō which is the root. Another term for "root word" could be the "least common denominator" or the "stem" — the word in its simplest form, that which is common to all other words derived from it. This study demonstrates a basic principle of The Way Biblical Research Center in Biblical Greek research which can lead to greater understanding of the Word of God.
There is no word from which speudō was derived, and therefore it can be considered the least common denominator, the stem, the root. Let us first examine all of the verses of Scripture where the word speudō is used, for we must start with the foundation upon which the related words or derivatives are built.
Luke 2:16: And they came with haste [speudō], and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. When the angels informed the shepherds that they should go to Bethlehem, they didn’t let any grass grow under their feet. They went immediately, right away, pronto. Time was involved. That is the essence of the word speudō. Time and the brevity of the time involved is emphasized in this usage of speudō.
Luke 19:5,6: And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up [into a tree], and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste [speudō], and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he [Zacchaeus] made haste [speudō], and came down, and received him [Jesus] joyfully.
Jesus did more than simply tell Zacchaeus to get down from the tree. Jesus told him to act immediately, with speed. And Zacchaeus did just that. He "made haste."
Acts 20:16: For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted [speudō], if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
Time was involved and "he hasted." He even bypassed Ephesus to save time.
Acts 22:18: And saw him saying unto me, Make haste [speudō], and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
God told Paul to leave Jerusalem immediately. Using the slang words of today God was actually saying, "Hot foot it out of that place! Run like crazy! Move out!"
Looking for and hasting unto [speudō] the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Now let us examine the usages of spoudazō, a derivative of speudō.
Endeavouring [spoudazō] to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
I Thessalonians 2:17: But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured [spoudazō] the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
Moreover I will endeavour [spoudazō] that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. In each of the above usages of the word spoudazō the meaning is exerting an effort. There is an earnest attempt to achieve or accomplish some goal.
II Timothy 4:9, 21a: Do thy diligence [spoudazō] to come shortly unto me. Do thy diligence [spoudazō] to come before winter.
Titus 3:12: When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent [spoudazō] to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
Paul was asking Timothy and Titus to make an earnest attempt to visit him, to put forth special effort.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence [spoudazō] to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
Christians should exert every effort necessary to make their calling and election sure.
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent [spoudazō] that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. As you look for this new heaven and earth, be diligent, exert an effort "...that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."
Let us labour [spoudazō] therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Again the word spoudazō means to exert an effort. The final usage of spoudazō is in Galatians 2:10:
Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward [spoudazō] to do.
Here the word spoudazō is translated "forward." From the other usages already examined it can easily be seen that here, too, the meaning is to exert an effort.
We have taken the word spoudason and traced it as a form of spoudazō which is a derivative of the word speudō. Following through the progression of the meaning of these words, we arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the word "study" in II Timothy 2:15. It means to "be active" and "watchfully diligent." We could translate it "to be earnest about" or "earnestly diligent." Another good translation would be "striving earnestly." Summing up everything, the depth of the meaning of "study" is to expend an effort diligently, with the brevity of time in mind. In other words, "You give it everything you’ve got." God is telling us to exert an effort earnestly and diligently, utilizing our time wisely. Applying this to the rest of the verse we are to exert the effort to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of truth. It should be obvious that the only way to rightly divide the Word of God is to study it. Thus we are in reality being told in II Timothy 2:15 to "study earnestly, diligently, exerting an effort, utilizing our time wisely." Many people exert an effort, but waste too much time. Others expend time, but little effort. We are told to exert the effort and utilize time wisely. At football games I often marvel at how many touchdowns the players can make in the last two minutes of the game. Logic says that if they can make that many touchdowns during the last two minutes, they can make that many for sixty minutes, if they are geared properly. There must be something that they do during the last two minutes that they fail to do the other fifty-eight minutes. That something they are doing is putting forth with diligence and watchfulness extra effort because they know time is running out. This is like the word spoudason in II Timothy 2:15, "Study to show thyself approved unto God." How should we study? We study by putting forth the effort diligently and utilizing our time wisely.
Study [exert an effort diligently, strive earnestly, and do it without wasting time] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. This study is a good example of a type of research that can be done in the Word of God. Often many more words are introduced and the quest becomes more complicated, but the principle remains the same and can be followed by anyone. This type of research speaks loudly for the depth of the accuracy of the Word of God.
Other Related Words II Corinthians 8:22: And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent [spoudaiōs, adjective] in many things, but now much more diligent [spoudaiōs the comparative of the adjective], upon the great confidence which I have in you.
Paul said one of the brothers whom he sent with Titus had "proved diligent," he had exerted effort for the cause, but now he had put forth even more effort. He had "put his shoulder to the wheel."
Luke 7:4: And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly [spoudaiōs, adverb], saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this. The word "besought" is a clue to the meaning of spoudaiōs. They did more than just ask Jesus. They "besought" Him; they put forth effort. A more preferable translation of spoudaiōs would be "diligently."
Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently [spoudaiōs, adverb] that nothing be wanting unto them.
Paul was instructing Titus to bring Zenas and Apollos on their journey. He especially said to put forth some effort for their needs.
I sent him therefore the more carefully [spoudaioteros, adverb, comparative of spoudaiōs, Luke 7:4 and Titus 3:13], that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. To be careful or watchful of anything requires effort. The word "diligently" could also be used here accurately.
Romans 12:8: Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence [spoudē, noun, dative case] he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
He that rules is to put forth some effort in his position. It is not just a position of honor.
Romans 12:11: Not slothful in business [spoudē, noun, dative case]; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. The word "slothful" is "wasting time." A more consistent translation of business (spoudē) would be "diligence." Do not delay or waste time in putting forth effort in whatever is your function in serving the Lord.
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence [spoudē, noun, dative case], and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
Paul said the Corinthians abounded in everything including diligence in their effort for the ministry.
II Corinthians 7:11, 12: For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness [spoudē, noun, accusative case] it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care [spoudē, noun, accusative case] for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
II Corinthians 8:16: But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care [spoudē, noun, accusative case] into the heart of Titus for you.
Hebrews 6:11: And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence [spoudē, noun, accusative case] to the full assurance of hope unto the end.
II Peter 1:5: And beside this, giving all diligence [spoudē, noun, accusative case], add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.
Jude 3:
Beloved, when I gave all diligence [spoudē, noun, accusative case] to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. The above verses all use the same Greek word in exactly the same form. Though it has been translated carefulness, care and diligence, the emphasis is still on effort expended.
I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness [spoudē, noun, genitive case] of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. The word "by" is the word dia, meaning "on account of," and the words "the occasion of the forwardness" are the one Greek word spoudē. Paul says, I speak not by commandment, but on account of the effort of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
Mark 6:25: And she came in straightway with haste [spoudē, noun, genitive case] unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
Luke 1:39: And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste [spoudē, noun, genitive case], into a city of Juda.
Here the emphasis is on the brevity of the time ex-pended. This work covers all the references where the root word speudō is used and also all of its derivatives.