Thursday October 6 Teaching

 Thursday October 6  Teaching

2 Timothy 2:14

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 

a. NLT: Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

b. Classic  Amplified Bible: Remind the people of these facts, and solemnly charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, that does no good, but upsets and undermines the faith of the hearers. 

1. “Of these things put them in remembrance…”

a. Of these things [Strong: 5023 tauta tow'-tah nominative or accusative case neuter plural of 3778; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.]

1). “These things” are the subject of the passage 2 Timothy 2:14-21. Paul lists three of them, of which we will attempt to cover in detail. Some scholars include all of chapter 2 in the “these things”

b. put them in remembrance [Strong: 5279 hupomimnesko hoop-om-im-nace'-ko from 5259 and 3403; to remind quietly, i.e. suggest to the (middle voice, one's own) memory:--put in mind, remember, bring to (put in) remembrance.]

1). Putting  in remembrance can and should stir things up in your spirit.

a). 2 Peter 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

b). 2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

c). 2 Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

d). John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

2. “…charging them before the Lord…” 

a. charge [Strong: 1263  diamarturomai dee-am-ar-too'-rom-ahee from 1223 and 3140; to attest or protest earnestly, or (by implication) hortatively:--charge, testify (unto), witness.] [Zodhiates: To bear witness, testify earnestly or repeatedly, or to charge as it were before witnesses, to affirm.]

1). The word “charge” is used two other times by Paul in 1 & 2 Timothy. Paul is telling Timothy that God is witnessing this command of Paul’s to Timothy.

a). 1 Timothy 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

b). 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  

2). A Hebrew word translated “charge” is also used in the Old Testament in connection with the commandments of God. It is never used lightly. One can do a word search of it and be struck by the heaviness associated with it.

a). 1 Kings 2:1-3 

b). Numbers 27:18-23  

3. “…that they strive not about words to no profit…”

a. strive…about words [Strong: logomacheo log-om-akh-eh'-o from a compound of 3056 and 3164; to be disputatious (on trifles):--strive about words.] [logomacheō; logos-word; machomai-to fight] [To fight over words.] [Thayer: to contend about words, to wrangle about empty and trifling matters.]

b. profit [Strong: 5539. chresimos khray'-see-mos from 5540; serviceable:--profit.] [Vine: "useful" (akin to chraomai, "to use"), is translated as a noun in 2Ti 2:14, "to (no) profit," lit., "to (nothing) profitable."] [Thayers: fit for use, useful.] [Zodhiates: useful]

1). We are not to fight over words that won’t help anybody grow spiritually. The NLT says “stop fighting over words, such arguments are useless”.  The Classic Amplified says “avoid petty controversy over words that does no good.” 

2). Most of the times the Scriptures use the words “profit” “prosper” the primary meaning is not finances. It does include that, but most of the references are “growth” or “expansion” in every area of our lives. Growing spiritually is a large part of the meaning.

3). 1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

4). Judges 14:19 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.

a). [Strong: 6743 tsalach tsaw-lakh' or tsaleach {tsaw-lay'-akh}; a primitive root; to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive):--break out, come (mightily), go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosper(-ity, -ous, - ously).]

4. “…but to the subverting of the hearers.”

a. subverting [Strong:2692 katastrophe kat-as-trof-ay' from 2690; an overturn ("catastrophe"), i.e. demolition; figuratively, apostasy:--overthrow, subverting.] [Thayer:  overthrow, destruction, metaphorically, of the extinction of a spirit of consecration.]

1). The Greek word translated “subverting” is  “katastrophe” This is where we get the English word catastrophe, so in light of that I don’t believe the meaning is just to shake up or wound a person’s faith. It means to overthrow or destroy it. One Christian teacher uses the word “ruin” to describe what happens here. If our discussion with other Christians is only going to destroy or completely overthrow their faith, we need to keep our mouths shut. 

 

2 Timothy 2:15 

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

a. Amplified Bible: Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved, tested by trial, a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and dividing reightly handling and skillfully teaching the Word of Truth.

b. 2 Timothy 2:15 [NLT]: Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.  

1. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God…”

a. study [Strong: 4704 spoudazo spoo-dad'-zo from 4710; to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:--do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study. ] [Zodhiates: To be diligent, earnest, eager.] 

1). The word translated “study” in 2 Timothy 2:15 is translated “labor” in Hebrews 4:11; “give diligence” in 2 Peter 1:10; and “endeavor” in 2 Peter 1:15. The word was translated “study” by the KJV translators I believe, because of the association with the phrase, “rightly dividing the word of truth”, and there is room for it. Personally I believe the blessing of “rightly dividing the word of truth”, is pending upon “showing ourselves approved unto God.”  The context will bear this out. In light of that, the rendering of spoudazo to the idea of “diligence” is more precise. 

b. to shew [Strong: 3936 paristemi par-is'-tay-mee, or prolonged paristano par-is-tan'-o from 3844 and 2476; to stand beside, i.e. (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or ready), aid:--assist, bring before, command, commend, give presently, present, prove, provide, shew, stand (before, by, here, up, with), yield.] [Zodhiates: To place or set before someone, present, exhibit.] [Strong: to stand beside, i.e. (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or ready), aid:--assist, bring before, command, commend, give presently, present, prove, provide, shew, stand (before, by, here, up, with), yield.]

1). Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2). Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.   

3). Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

a).  In light of these uses, whoever we are consistently obeying, to them we are presenting ourselves as “living sacrifices”, “servants”, and as “weapons”. In the use here in 2 Timothy 2:15 we can also add we are “showing” or “proving” ourselves as such to either God or the devil.

c. thyself [Strong: 4572 seautou seh-ow-too', genitive case from 4571 and 846, also dative case of the same, seautoi seh-ow-to', and accusative case seauton seh-ow-ton', likewise contracted sautou sow-too', sautoi sow-to', and sauton sow-ton', respectively of (with, to) thyself:--thee, thine own self, (thou) thy(-self).]  

d. approved [Strong: 1384 dokimos dok'-ee-mos from 1380; properly, acceptable (current after assayal), i.e. approved:--approved, tried.] [Zodhiates:Proved, tried as metals by fire and thus purified. Hence to be approved as acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. Approval does not mean self-commendation, but the commendation of the Lord.]

e. [unto] God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

1). This principle of “showing ourselves approved unto God” in our behavior has nothing to do with our salvation, but everything to do with showing ourselves trustworth, dependable. This principle is referring to after salvation and the Lord being able to depend upon us to be used by Him after He has witnessed our faithfulness.

2). Exodus 32:19-29 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

32:20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.

32:21 And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

32:22 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.

32:23 For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

32:24 And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.

32:25 And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)

32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

32:27 And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.

32:28 And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

32:29 For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.

a). Classic Amplified: And Moses said [to the Levites, By your obedience to God’s command] you have consecrated yourselves today [as priests] to the Lord, each man [at the cost of being] against his own son and his own brother, that the Lord may restore and bestow His blessing upon you this day. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

b). Rabbinic Commentary [Under Exodus 32:29]: By their courage and loyalty, the Levites earned the right to replace the firstborn [Numbers 3:5-16] and be designated as God’s chosen tribe, which would serve Him in the Temple.

c). NRSV: Moses said, "Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the LORD, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, that he may bestow a blessing on yourselves this day." [New Revised Standard Version Bible copyright Ⓒ 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.]

(1) NOTE in The New Oxford Annotated NRSV Bible: A separate tradition about how the Levites (See Exodus 28:1-5), were consecrated to the priesthood (Compare Numbers 25:10-13). Instead of being consecrated by a ritual ceremony (Exodus 32:29), the Levites ordained themselves by their zeal, that is, their passionate loyalty to the LORD.

(2)  DC: Concerning that earlier tradition about the Levitical tribe being given the Priesthood in Exodus 28:1-5, though it is true that the choice was told to Moses, it had not yet been told to the Levites. Moses was told that information inside the forty days of his time on Mount Sinai. (This was actually the 6th time Moses climbed the mountain. It began with Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and the 70 elders of Israel communing with God with a meal (Exodus 24:9-11) and continued with Moses and Joshua going up further, and Moses leaving Joshua and going up further still for seven days and then for forty days after that (Exodus 32:16-18).   The period of time between Moses being told about the choice of the Levites in Exodus 28 and him coming down the mountain to the scene of the golden calf worship was only a matter of days or weeks. I see this as similar to the situation between Jacob and Esau. Though Esau was the elder, God told Rebecca that the elder would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23). In his foreknowledge the Lord knew that Jacob would be the spiritual one who valued spiritual things while Esau was a carnal fornicator who only concerned himself with flesh. Here with the Levitical tribe God in his foreknowledge knew that the Levites would be the ones who completely chose to be on the LORD’s side (Exodus 32:26). 

3). Numbers 25:1-13  And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

25:2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.

25:3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.

25:4 And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel.

25:5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.

25:6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

25:7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;

25:8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

25:9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

25:10 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

25:11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.

25:12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:

25:13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.

2. “…a workman…”

a. a workman [Strong: 2040 ergates er-gat'-ace from 2041; a toiler; figuratively, a teacher:--labourer, worker(-men).] [Zodhaites: A laborer, primarily in farming. In 2 Timothy 2:15, a spiritual workman or laborer.] [Strong: a toiler; figuratively, a teacher:--labourer, worker(-men).]

1). Our salvation is the gift of God, we cannot work our way to heaven.

a). Ephesians 2:8, 9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

2). Yet in this verse we are called “workman”. Why? Because we are co-laborers with God, we are to labor, yield and grow within our covenant relationship with him, yielding and cooperating with the Spirit and word of God on a daily basis as we pursue Him. The following passages will bear that out.

a). 2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

b). Colossians 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

c). Philippians 2:12, 13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

(1) Working out our own salvation is this: When we get born again whoever we are, because of the New Birth we are all delivered, we are forgiven, made righteous and set free from our sin, but we have to walk it out. When I got saved the desire to get high left me, I had a filthy mouth, and it also left me. After I got saved I had no trouble with profanity coming out of my mouth, it stopped completely. There were other things though that I had to work through or walk out requiring constant vigilance. I quit smoking on the third day after I got saved and though they were never again picked up, the desire to smoke dogged me for about three months, the desire diminished little by little until there was no desire. None. I was also delivered from the bondage of alcohol. But because I live in this flesh body I have to be in constant vigilance to yield to the Spirit of God, to walk free from the law of sin and death that dwells in me. I have to work out or walk out my own salvation.

        

3. “…that needeth not to be ashamed…”

a. that needeth not to be ashamed [Strong: 422 anepaischuntos; a-without; epi-on, upon; aischuno-shame, an-ep-ah'-ee-skhoon-tos; a presumed derivative of the compound word 1909 epi & 153 aischuno; not ashamed, i.e., by implication irreprehensible:-- that needeth not to be ashamed.]

1). The following two passages contain the Greek word for shame, aischuno, of which the word in 2 Timothy 2:15 is a derivative.

a). 1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

b). Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or death.

2). The next two passages contain the Greek word, epaischunomai, [1870], [Zodhiates: To bring shame upon oneself, to be ashamed of.]

a). 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

b). Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

3). I believe the implication is obvious. The choice of whether or not we are going to be ashamed when we stand before Christ rests solely on us. If we choose to be obedient to his word, no matter what the cost, when we stand before Jesus we will not be ashamed. However, if we allow yielding to the law of sin and death to keep us from being obedient to his words and we are ashamed to do them, Jesus will be ashamed of us, and we will be ashamed when we stand before Him. It is God’s will that we be obedient to His Spirit and word, and when we stand before him we will receive our due praise from God.

a). 1 Corinthians 4:5   Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

b). 1 Corinthians 4:5 [NLT] So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

c). 1 Corinthians 4:5 [Classic Amplified] So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are [now hidden] in darkness and disclose and expose the [secret] aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his [due] commendation from God. 

d). I believe we get a glimpse of this at the stoning of Stephen in  Acts 7.

(1) Acts 7:54-56 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

4. “…rightly dividing the word of truth.”

a. rightly dividing [Strong: 3718 orthotomeo or-thot-om-eh'-o from a compound of 3717 and the base of 5114, to make a straight cut, i.e. (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message):--rightly divide.] [Vines: The meaning passed from the idea of cutting or dividing, to the more general sense of rightly dealing with a thing. Teaching Scripture accurately.] [Zodhiates: orthotomeo; ortho-straight; temno-to cut; To handle correctly, skillfully; to correctly teach the word of truth.] 

1). I am fully persuaded that our ability to receive the Spirit led revelation/interpretation, and then to Spirit lead teach the Scriptures, is greatly affected by our free will to either diligently walk in the light revealed to us, or to entertain sin in our lives. I believe 2 Timothy 2:15 touches on it. We can see it also in 2 Peter 3:16.

a). 2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction. 

2). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 7/31/2013 The key is to "rightly divide" the Scriptures. The Greek word orthotomeo, only used this one time, has several shades of meaning: to cut straight, to cut straight ways; to proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course; to make straight and smooth; to handle aright; to teach the truth directly and correctly. Two passages emphasize the way to "divide" the Scriptures. When Isaiah asked rhetorical questions about how to learn and understand biblical knowledge, the answer was "precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" (Isaiah 28:9, 10). Thus:  Find the major pieces first. Find the supporting elements next. Find the pieces throughout the text.  Solomon, as the "wise preacher," noted that one who would teach the people knowledge must have given "good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs" (Ecclesiastes 12:9). Pay attention to the words (meanings, context). Penetrate (research) the teaching (text first, then books). Organize the information for teaching purposes. This kind of study preparation requires a "workman"—one who is willing to give the "diligence" necessary to produce the powerful sayings built on the "word of truth." If properly prepared, the workman will never be "ashamed." HMM III

b. The word of truth is of course the word of God.