what does the bible say about studying to show yourself approved
"Do your all-time to present yourself to God as ane canonical, a worker who has no need to exist aback, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).
ii Timothy opens with a statement of thanksgiving in verses ane-2. And so Paul encourages endurance in the gospel in two Timothy 1:3-2:thirteen. His thanksgiving (i:3-five) leads to strong encouragements to Timothy (1:half-dozen-xiv; 2:1-13) with a paragraph that provides positive and negative examples of his encouragement (1:fifteen-xviii). In lite of Paul'south imminent death, he urges Timothy to continue in faithfulness for the sake of the gospel despite hardship.
What Is Happening in ii Timothy 2?
In 2 Timothy 2:14-iii:9, Paul helps Timothy deal with faux teachers. These verses carve up into two sections. In two Timothy two:fourteen-26, Paul introduces the false teaching (ii:16) and explains how Timothy should respond to it and be different from the faux teachers. In 2 Timothy three:one-9, he describes the false teachers more than extensively. Having encouraged Timothy to faithful endurance, Paul at present begins to address the problem of faux teachers more directly. In 2 Timothy ii:22-26, Paul encourages Timothy non to exist drawn into sinful desire and needless controversy and counsels him how to deal with his opponents.
Paul's main aim in ii Timothy 2:fifteen is to help Timothy exist an approved workman, including the work of pastors and elders, and every Christian. As the portrait gets painted in 2 Timothy 2, the chief ingredients of an approved workman are given: an approved workman conducts a ministry that reproduces itself (2 Timothy 2:i-2), endures hardship for the sake of the ministry building (2 Timothy 2:3-13), sticks to the word of truth and avoids false teaching (two Timothy 2:14-19), and pursues holiness while fugitive contentiousness (2 Timothy two:20-26).
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What Does It Mean to "Study to Show Ourselves Canonical"?
The command "Do your best" (Greek: spoudazō) calls Timothy to put forth every effort in teaching the Give-and-take rightly. Workers can exist "approved" or evil. They can be rewarded or punished (Luke ten:seven). But the harvest is plentiful, so the Lord needs workers (Matt. 9:37–38).
Teachers rightly handle "the word of truth," that is, the gospel. This pregnant of "discussion of truth" is evident in Ephesians, where Paul tells united states of america that believers take "heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation" (Eph. 1:13; cf. Col. 1:5; James 1:18).
"Rightly handling" translates orthotomeō, which ways "to cutting directly or without deviation." In Paul's culture, workers cut stones straight, cut roads straight through the countryside, and cutting fields straight with plows. In context, however, the task is to handle the gospel faithfully. Teachers cut direct when they proclaim Jesus' redemption and encourage all to apologize and believe in him, without changing the message to conform to the day'southward tastes or distaste.
In his volume Study to How Yourself Approved, David R. Reid writes "Timothy represents all pastors when Paul commands him to "present yourself to God every bit i approved" (two Tim. 2:15). ... 'Approved' translates dokimos, which means 'tested and constitute worthy.' God endorses teachers who proclaim bedrock apostolic doctrine with confidence, whether the message is popular or not." Nosotros should watch ourselves for undue interest in popular approval.
When Paul urges Timothy and his successors to be approved workers, he means that teaching the Word takes work. The blessed man meditates on God'southward instruction "day and nighttime" (Ps. 1:ii). He considers whether it requires him to do something, see the globe some other way, pursue fresh goals, all by God'south grace.
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Does This Verse Say Nosotros Can Earn Our Way to Heaven?
In his 2nd alphabetic character to Timothy, Paul is giving a call to endurance amongst opposition and suffering for the sake of the gospel to Timothy. The theme of endurance is present throughout 2 Timothy (two:10, 12, 24; 3:11; 4:five).
Paul's encouragement to endure has shaped the very construction of 2 Timothy. John Orangish writes in his book: "After expressing his affectionate greetings to Timothy, his 'beloved child,' and recounting his addicted remembrance of the immature human being's spiritual beginnings (one:1-5), Paul issues an extended exhortation to endurance (1:half dozen-2:13). This exhortation begins with a powerful call to gospel-centered endurance (i:6-14), followed by contrasting real-life examples of two who failed to endure and one who did (1:15-eighteen). Then he resumes his telephone call to gospel endurance (2:1-13) with directives to be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2:1-2), to share in the suffering as a good soldier (2:iii-7), to remember Jesus Christ as preached in Paul's gospel (two:viii-9), and to endure through the piece of work of Christ (2:x-13)."
In the next section (2:14-3:ix), Paul encourages Timothy to show wisdom when facing false teachings. R. Kent Hughes explains how Timothy is charged to do the following things:
- Rightly handle the give-and-take (two:14-19),
- Exist an honorable vessel, and fix for every good work (2:20-21),
- Avert foolish, ignorant controversies that atomic number 82 to quarreling (2:23),
- Gently correct and guide opponents (2:24-26).
Virtually the cease of the letter, in chapter 3, Paul exhorts Timothy to suffer for the sake of the gospel, as he himself has endured many trials. Paul reminds him too that "all Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16) and will guide him throughout his life and ministry. 2 Timothy is, in many ways, Paul's final will and testament. As such, the words carry actress weight—all rooted in the beauty of the gospel.
Ultimately, this poesy is not instruction that nosotros tin earn our manner to heaven, fifty-fifty if we study and work hard. Information technology is only through the freely-given grace of God that we can enter Sky, as Paul himself experience on the route to Damascus, and as he teaches his student through his messages.
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Volition God Always Disapprove of Believers?
Jesus wants the people of God to know the will of God. In one case Christians have received Christ by faith, they are made God's children (John ane:12). He desires to lead the people in His way (Psalm 143:ten). Christians are taught to, "give thank you in all circumstances for this is God's will for y'all" (ane Thessalonians 5:18). Every Christian is to benefit works (1 Peter two:15). It is, "God'south will that you should be sanctified" (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
Romans 12:2 gives the kid of God important data near the volition of God, namely that they are to exist renewed by the Word of God through the indwelling Holy Spirit. As our mind is renewed by Scripture, and so we tin know the perfect volition of God. The Lord desires the people of God to know Him and grow in grace. While Christians can exist disciplined (Hebrews 12:6), He volition never disapprove of them in the sense that they are no longer His because they are united and held secure by Him down to the nanosecond (John 15; Romans eight:31-39).
The improve we get to know the Lord, the more than that helps the people of God know the will of God (Proverbs xi:fifteen). If we are walking closely with the Lord in His Discussion, the Lord will place godly desires from the Word in our hearts. The cardinal to growing in grace through the Give-and-take is desiring what God desires and following Him in obedience (Psalm 37:4).
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What Does ii Timothy ii:15 Mean for U.s. Today?
Martin Luther is identified as one who argued for private Christians' right to translate the Bible for themselves, which is largely correct. Luther himself stood on justification by religion alone because he was convinced by Scripture the doctrine was truthful even when those around him disagreed with him. Luther translated the Bible into German so laypeople could read it and empathise it themselves. Farther, the Reformers did not believe the Bible was a airtight book only to exist read by the elites and clergy, but every Christian'southward possession.
The Reformers and Martin Luther did not believe that Christians had the correct to misinterpret Scripture in their private interpretation. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) does not mean that Christians are to pay attention only to their agreement of the Bible or that we tin brand the Discussion mean what we want it to mean. The meaning of Scripture can be known through diligent and true-blue report by every Christian.
Scripture is the only authority for the whole Church that is without the possibility of error (infallibility), only it is nonetheless not the but authorisation. Church tradition, such as the councils and individual theologians, are lesser authorities that help the people of God understand God'due south Discussion. They assistance provide a measuring stick confronting which nosotros can check out individual interpretations of Scripture. If we call back that nosotros take come up with something new, it is a good rule that we accept likely misread Scripture.
The Reformers did non merits to teach whatsoever new doctrines, and they regularly appealed to the Church Fathers and others in support of their teaching. With the correct of private interpretation comes the obligation to interpret and teach Scripture correctly. Every Christian must work diligently to "rightly handling the word of truth."
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Dave Jenkinsis happily married to Sarah Jenkins. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in cute Southern Oregon.
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