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NASB | 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Timothy 2:15 Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. |
Bible Question: This question is intended to stimulate thought and comment from users of the Forum. How important is it for Christians to engage in regular and serious Bible study, and why? Please refer to 2 Timothy 2:15 and 1 Peter 3:15. In your comment please use these verses or other Biblical references that speak to the question. |
Bible Answer: Greetings Hank! Excellent question my friend! This question could only be adequately addressed with a book, but here is my short answer. Peter made it clear that the content of our faith is truth, not fables. He said: "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." - 2 Peter 1:16. As we have seen on this forum so many times, almost any thought or idea is too often placed on the same level as Scripture. However, Peter said of Scripture: "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." - 2 Peter 1:20-21. The words of Scripture are not just fairy tales made up to entertain us. Rather, they are the direct self-expression of God. What does that mean for us? Here is what Paul said of Scripture: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." - 2 Tim. 3:16-17. So, if we want to be 'thoroughly equipped' in this life, our training must come from God's Word, not just human opinion. What use is Scripture? Paul answered this question with a very simple chaistic structure in 2 Tim. 3:16. It is useful for: 1a) Teaching (the teaching of doctrine) 1b) Rebuking (the correcting of false doctrine) 2b) Correcting (the correction of life styles) 2a) Training (the teaching of life styles). So, anything we need to know about how to live or what to believe is found in Scripture. This is why Paul said in 2 Tim. 2:15: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" Since Scripture is God-breathed, and contains all that we need for faith and practice, how can we do anything but spend the time necessary to 'rightly divide' it? Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |