Rightly Dividing

All slaves of the Lord should be able to impart the word of truth (2nd Timothy 2:24), and the truth can be learned through repentance (2nd Timother 2:25), but take heart that, although there may be false teachers, "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription, 'The Lord knows those who are his'; and, 'Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil' (2nd Timothy 2:19)."

aforechrist33:Of course not, He doesn't forget anything!! That was MY words. lol. It's called an example. Look it up in an English dictionary.

Originally posted by aforchrist33
Would you please explain how 2 Timothy 2:15 is in context with 2 Timothy 2:14 in relations to "Rightly dividing"

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First, Biblical interpretation should never take one verse by itself. It should be viewed in context, with surrounding verses, with the entire book it comes from, and then finally in historical context. Without these parameters, you can literally take the Bible apart and put it back together again to say whatever you want.

2 Timothy 2:14 (KJV)

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.

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2 Timothy 2:14 (NAB)

Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.

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It's pretty prophetic that 2 Timothy 2:14 comes right before 2 Timothy 2:15, where you wish to completely create a new type of thinking based upon "rightly dividing."


Peace be with you,
~VOW

Originally posted by aforchrist33
Wouldn't it be better if I had read "divide" in the KJV in the first place?

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But the word divide has several disparate meanings. How just by reading the word "divide" in the KJV version am I to know which meaning was intended by St. Paul?

The Greek word, orthotomeo, means, I am told by www.blueletter.org:

1) to cut straight, to cut straight ways
1a) to proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course, equiv. to doing right
2) to make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly

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From ortho, meaning correct, and tomeo meaning "to slice sharply." Which doesn't really lend itself to such other meanings of the word "divide" like "cut in half."

Orthotomeo sounds like how one might want to serve a group of people a very important block of cheese -- in careful slices. The word "impart" loses some of Paul's imagery, but the meaning is made more clear.

Besides, Jesus is the Word of Truth. Surely you aren't advocating cutting him in half, are you?

It means to correctly disect for analysis. That's it.