2 Timothy 2:15 Authorized King James Version: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Another aspect of 2 Timothy 2:15 is to understand what the study of “rightly dividing the word of truth” pertains to. Most of Christendom lump all of scripture into one dispensation, one administration of God’s dealing with mankind. As believers we have been taught and lead astray by either the ignorant or the false teachers spoken of by Paul in his epistles. We have been led to believe that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. That “ALL” is all for us to do, that are unlearned as to “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4.
It takes considerable time and application to do this, that being to rightly divide scripture, most will not. Most have found that it is far easier to sit and have one to feed them what they are to think and believe. When it, what was taught, fits a preconceived notion as to what they think is right they will stay there and continue. When scripture is presented as given and doesn’t fit their beliefs, traditions they become callused, hard of heart having ears that won’t hear nor eyes to see.
When did Jesus tell Nicodemus, a Jew, a Hebrew, not a Gentile, that he must be born again? Was it under the dispensation of law, the Mosaic, Civil/social and ceremonial laws or under the: “dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” Ephesians 3:2-4. It had to be under law, Christ had yet to be crucified.
Was there ever a time, “Times Past” where it may have been possible for Israel to have been born, in order for Jesus to say that they, the Jew must be born again? See Exodus 4:22, Deut 32:18, Psalms 22:28-31.
To say to be born again implies that one was once born before as in: I’m hungry again, I’m tired again, I’m sick again and so on, I’m born again.
We associate being “born again” to being saved. That term of “born again” is only used by John, John 3:3 and 3:7; and Peter in 1 Peter 1:23. Three times. Paul [I am the apostle of the Gentiles Ro 11:13] never used the phrase “born again”, why? It is a different dispensation.
What was the requirements to be born again? One had to keep the Mosaic Law, the ten commandants, all civil law ceremonial law, and acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth as “Messiah”. “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16. It is to be assumed that the twelve did obey the law as best as possible. Even after the crucification Peter was still a law keeper, John 3:1 and Acts 10:28. “She [Martha] saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” John 11:27. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:31. “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Acts 8:37 [this verse absent in the NIV]. “And straightway he {Saul,later Paul) preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
To note: Paul as of yet had gone into Arabia and had yet to have the risen Christ reveal the way of salvation in this the “dispensation of the grace of God”. This is seen in Galatians 1:11-24 and continuing in Galatians 2:10.
What is the gospel that saves in this the dispensation of the grace of God? “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
We the body of Christ have failed to: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. One is to study to know why one is accepted by God. We have to work at it and read and study for ourself and let the Holy Spirit teach; if one is truly in Christ. Not to be ashamed when we are caught short and don’t have a scripture to support what is being said and to have then by that scriptures use have rightly divided that word of truth.
When I believed the gospel, death, burial and resurrection I was not born again. At belief: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body [the body of Christ], whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink [partake] into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13. Also was “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation]: old things [former things, Old Adam, sin nature] are passed away; behold, all things are become new {in Christ].” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Continuing: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Still “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Ephesians 1:3. Where, “in Christ” where is my forgiveness” “in Christ” Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14. If my forgiveness is “in Christ” and I asked to be forgiven am I not saying I’m not in Christ?
Concerning forgiveness, I am told to “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. Why isn’t 1 John 2:12 ever used in conjunction with 1st John 1:9? “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.” And then what do I do with “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” 1 John 3:4-10
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 14:37
Lastly; the passage reads to “Study to shew thyself approved”, one is to do the physical work of studying for ones self as to who they are “in Christ” and what that means for us today in this “the dispensation of the grace of God” Ephesians 3.
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