Paul instructs Timothy to handle accurately the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15 – Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. The Bible can be twisted and cause destruction as a result (2 Peter 3:16). Paul warns the brethren of Galatia of teachers who perverted the gospel of Christ by preaching “another” gospel (Gal. 1:6-9). As you examine 2 Tim. 2:15, several things stand out that is required to accomplish the task of handling the word accurately.

First, Timothy must give diligence. Paul wrote to Colossae that whatever they do, to do it “heartily as to the Lord” (Col. 3:23). Diligence speaks to the degree of effort and concentration on the accurate handling of the truth.

Second, this passage emphasizes the importance of personal application. Paul did not write Timothy to be sure that others show themselves approved unto God. We have enough to do just to control our own thoughts and actions. Seeing that we can only control our own lives and effect changes that please God, we would do well to focus on ourselves rather than others whom we have no power to change. We are reminded that “each one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom 14:12). Even elders/spiritual shepherds who do have a responsibility to watch for others are told to give attention to themselves. Notice Acts 20:28-30, “Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.” Timothy is given a similar charge with the emphasis on himself (1 Tim. 4:16).

Third, the goal of this charge is to be accepted by God. While it is pleasing to have the approval of fellow humans, this is not the driving force behind this admonition. The goal is that God is pleased with our lives. Paul writes, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10). In another place, explains, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self” (1 Corinthians 4:3; cf. Prov. 16:2). He follows up this statement with, “he that judges me is the Lord.”

The final thought related to accurate handling of the Word is being an unashamed worker. The word of God is not designed to challenge us intellectually or to polish up on debating skills. The knowledge of the Bible is not just for the sake of knowledge. Instead, God’s word is for the practical purpose of doing His will (Deut. 29:29; James 1:25, James 2). Some have the idea that the Bible is just a nice old story book and our kids should know about the “stories.” Friends, the Bible was not written for our knowing but for our doing. The significance of this is apparent when we come to realize that everything the Christian does must be approved by the Lord. “And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col 3:17). This does not mean that an action is done in His name because we have attached “in his name” to whatever we choose to do. Rather, it means that we act with his permission and approval. Jesus speaks of those who will say to him in that day, “Lord, have we not prophesied in your name….? He rejects them because they acted without law (“workers of iniquity,” Matthew 7:21-f). Since our actions must be approved by God and truly, in his name, we must not mishandle the Bible in an effort to justify our actions (proof-texting). An unashamed worker is one who “does the will of the Father” (Matthew 7:23) by acting when permitted to act. Jesus is not president of a democracy. He is absolute monarch of a kingdom. Respecting the king is shown by doing only what the king has decreed. The word is handled accurately when we follow it as the pattern or constitution by which we live. It is critical that we give diligence to this task if we want His approval.

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