2 Timothy 2:14–15

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Paul gives Timothy two instructions that belong together.

First, avoid arguments about words that lead nowhere. Some debates may sound impressive, but in the end they accomplish very little. Instead of helping people grow, they often leave listeners more confused than before.

Then Paul turns Timothy’s attention to something much more important.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God.”

Notice the audience Paul has in mind. Timothy is not studying to impress people. He is not studying to win debates. He is studying so that when God looks at his work, it is done well.

Paul calls him a workman.

That word is helpful because it reminds us that understanding Scripture is not casual. It takes patience. It takes time. A craftsman does not rush his work. He measures carefully. He handles his tools with care. He pays attention to the details so the finished work will hold together.

The same is true with the Word of God.

Paul says we are to “rightly divide the word of truth.” In other words, we learn how the Word is put together. We understand its context. We see how one part connects to another. We allow Scripture to interpret Scripture.

But something else happens when a person spends time in the Word.

The Word begins to work on the reader.

Hebrews tells us the Word of God is living and powerful, able to divide even the thoughts and intentions of the heart. At first we think we are studying the Bible, but before long we realize the Bible is studying us.

It exposes motives. It corrects attitudes. It straightens what is crooked inside.

That is why Paul wanted Timothy to stay close to the Scriptures.

When we learn how the Word is divided, we soon discover that the Word begins to divide us as well, separating truth from error and shaping a life that no longer needs to be ashamed.