Subject: 2 Timothy 2:15 is our mandate! |
Bible Note: Yes, the mandate is clear! MacArthur's Study Bible says, concerning this verse, "Be diligent. This word denotes zealous persistence in accomplishing a goal. Timothy, like all who preach or teach the Word, was to give his maximum effort to impart God's Word completely, accurately, and clearly to his hearers. This is crucial to counter the disastrous effects of false teaching (vv. 14,16,17). 'rightly dividing' Lit. "cutting it straight"- a reference to the exactness demanded by such trades as carpentry, masonry, and Paul's trade of leather working and tentmaking. Precision and accuracy are required in biblical interpretation, beyond all other enterprises because the interpreter is handling God's Word. Anything less is shameful." |