Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

The Bible, the Word of God in its originally revealed form, is the Word of Truth. The great joy and responsibility of every Biblical student is to rightly divide God’s Word, because we only have the true Word of God to the extent that it is rightly divided. To rightly divide the Word, we must read it, study it, and put diligent effort into understanding it. As we do, we can show ourselves approved unto God as workmen who need not be ashamed.

Everyone can divide the Word when they read it. The question is not whether we divide the Word. The question is whether we rightly divide it.

I once heard a story of a man who said he could prove from the Bible that there is no God. He used Psalms 14:1 as his reference and quoted, “There is no God.”

Psalms 14:1:
There is no God….

Pulled out of context and set by itself, the second section of this sentence certainly says, “There is no God.” But set in the context of the first part of the verse, it can be properly understood: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Did this man divide the Word? Yes. Did he rightly divide it? No. When the Word is wrongly divided, as it was in this instance, we have error and falsehood. When and where it is rightly divided, we have the Word of Truth.

As Biblical students, we learn that the rightly divided Word has to fit from Genesis to Revelation. This means that it cannot have any contradictions. In Bible classes presented by The Way International, students learn how the Word fits together and how the Word interprets itself. We learn valuable keys to Biblical research, such as how the Word interprets itself in the verse, in the context, and as it has been used before. We learn Biblical truths we must adhere to, such as understanding “to whom” sections of the Scripture are addressed and how seemingly difficult verses must be handled in light of the clear verses.

II Timothy 2:15 gives us God’s heart on the importance of rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

II Timothy 2:15:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The first word in this verse is “study.” To rightly divide the Word, the first thing a person must do is study. We are to study to show ourselves “approved unto God,” not to man. We want to stand approved before God.

Psalms 19:14:
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

As workmen of the Word, we put effort of will and thought into our study of the Word. So how do we study to show ourselves approved unto God? By rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

II Timothy 2:15 is the only place in the Bible where the words “rightly dividing” are used. A singular usage in the Word of God shows that an expression is uniquely significant. God has placed a focused emphasis on the words “rightly dividing” by using them only once in His Word. The English words “rightly dividing” are translated from the one Greek word orthotomeō, which comes from two Greek words: orthos, meaning “right or straight,” and temnō, meaning “to cut.” The words “rightly dividing” in the King James Version of the Bible literally mean, “a straight or right cutting.” To have the true Word of God, there is only one way to rightly cut it.

The Word of God, as it was originally given, is the Word of Truth. The Word is the greatest of all of God’s works.

Psalms 138:2:
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

God endorses and underwrites every detail of His Word. As amazing as God’s creation is, including the mountains, oceans, stars, and planets, it is His Word that He magnified above His name. It is up to us to read it, study it, consider it, and put diligent effort into it.

The Word of God is the greatest thing in all of life, and when it is rightly divided, it gives us the true will of God. The Word of Truth provides genuine answers to life’s questions and leads men, women, and young people to a life of abundance and power. Let’s put forth the diligent effort necessary to read, study, and rightly divide this wonderful Word. As we do, we can show ourselves approved unto God as workmen who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

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