STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH (II TIMOTHY 2:15).
Continuing the study of II Timothy 2:15 and with the sole independent clause discussed in yesterday’s post, the next part of the verse, grammatically known as a dependent clause, is structured to define the subject of the independent clause. In this verse, as translated in the Elizabethan English of the King James Version of the Bible, the subject of this command by the apostle Paul — you, the person being directed — is left out of the sentence and is technically the “understood subject.” It is this understood subject – you – that the dependent clauses serve to further clarify and define.
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed…
Although I am using my basic knowledge of English grammar as one of the many tools when I study the Bible, one of the best things about Christianity and a true personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is that none of us has to possess the same tools and skills when it comes to studying the word of God. I did not gain new tools when I decided to seriously study the Bible; I simply used the tools that I had already developed as a professional historian. We all have talents and skills that could be used to help us in our studying of the Bible if we would only determine to make it a priority in our lives.
Paul, being led and inspired by the Holy Spirit, used a term that has been preserved in Greek as τεχνίτης (tekhnitēs, Strong’s Greek Dictionary #5079) and translated in the King James Version as “workman.” Although today we think of a workman as being just anyone with a manual labor or blue collar job, at the time the King James Version was being translated, a workman was actually someone who was considered a highly skilled craftsman or artisan in their trade. They started as apprentices and went through a rigorous training program until they had gained the knowledge and techniques of their master, then as time progressed, they became master craftsmen and would continue to develop their own skills, techniques, and application of skills.
Paul is calling for Timothy and the countless other Christians that would later read his letter to study the scriptures as if it were our vocation to study them. I know that many will correctly point out that Timothy was serving as the pastor of the church at Ephesus; however, Peter wrote that as Christians, we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (I Peter 2:9). In other words, since we are all to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, we all need to study the scriptures as if it were our vocation.
Although Christians are to be set apart from the world, we still have to live within the world. We still have to support our families, hold down jobs, and meet our obligations to our family. We take our vocation – how we earn our living – very seriously. We do not hesitate to take additional training courses, to buy new gadgets, to even uproot and relocate our families in order to satisfy our employer. At the same time we are willing to do this for an earthly employer, it never crosses our mind to take our daily Bible reading and personal discipleship that seriously. None of us would ever think of missing a training session where we work; however, churches all across the nation are discontinuing Wednesday night prayer meetings and Bible studies because of a lack of interest by Christians. Where are our priorities?
