STUDY ~ STUDY ~ STUDY ~ OFTEN !
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.”
(Prayer and systematic) [study] are the keys to feasting on
the “meat” of GOD’S Word.
{Systematic study}: Looking at relationships, attempting to attribute causes and effects
and drawing conclusions based on the evidence found.
Christians, and those in the position of Biblical Teaching,
are to show themselves approved unto GOD, by teaching others
“exegetical” Biblical truth. (All things ‘vain’ are entirely unprofitable).
Then their work should be the work of workmen tested by trial,
and should be found to stand the test.
“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.” In otherwords, “to manage rightly,” & “to treat truthfully without falsifying.”
The word “milk” (Greek gala) as implied here in these Verses
means: the basic, elemental teachings of Christianity first learned by and as new believers.
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.” In otherwords, “to manage rightly,” & “to treat truthfully without falsifying.”
The word “milk” (Greek gala) as implied here in these Verses
means: the basic, elemental teachings of Christianity first learned by and as new believers.
The word “meat” in 1Corinthians is from the Greek word
“Broma”– Strong’s number is G1033.
It means the deeper, more complete teachings of GOD’S Word.
Paul contrasts the idea of spiritual “milk” and “meat” in his letter to the Hebrews,
Hebrews 5:12 (KJV) – “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers,
ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God;
and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”
Hebrews 5:12 (KJV) – “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers,
ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God;
and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”
Peter uses part of this same metaphor when he writes to encourage scattered new believers.
1 Peter 2:2 (KJV) – “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”
Paul addressed several church-related problems in his first letter to the Corinthians. There was one problem that he knew was carnal. This problem was evidence of their spiritual immaturity.
Some in Corinth had aligned themselves to certain teachers
(Paul, Apollos, Peter).
They were causing contentions and divisions in the church by arguing about which preacher was the most spiritual
(verses 1 Corinthians 3:3 – 23).
(Paul, Apollos, Peter).
They were causing contentions and divisions in the church by arguing about which preacher was the most spiritual
(verses 1 Corinthians 3:3 – 23).
Paul tried to relay to the Corinthians that he could not teach them the deeper truths of GOD, because they were not attempting to understand what had been taught to them.
After all how could they understand the deeper principles of the scriptures if they continued to entangle themselves in
“petty debates” over who was ‘the greatest !’
(Hmmm. . . . this same ‘thing’ seems to persist, even unto today
throughout the church-body, doesn’t it?)
1 Corinthians Chapter 3
1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
21Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
22Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
23And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.