Rightly Divide?

[Kimberlyann]

Please show me scripture that tells us how to "rightly divide" Gods word.

I did a search on rightly divide and I found 2 Timothy 2:15.

Here is what the Lexicon says the word divide means.



[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Strong's Number: 3718[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Original Word[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Word Origin[/FONT]ojrqotomevw [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Transliterated Word TDNT [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Entry[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Orthotomeo[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]8:111,1169[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Phonetic Spelling[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Parts of Speech[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]or-thot-om-eh'-o [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Verb [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Definition[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]

1. to cut straight, to cut straight ways
   1. 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

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]King James Word Usage - Total: 1[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]rightly divide 1[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]KJV Verse Count[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Greek Word: Ojrqotomevw
Transliterated Word: orthotomeo
Book to Display: 2 Timothy
Verse Count: 1 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. [/FONT]KJV Verse Count 2 Timothy1Total1

I don't see a command to divide the actual scriptures into segments.

Vines Expository Dictionary acknowledges that "the meaning passed from the idea of cutting or dividing, to the more general sense of rightly dealing with a thing".

Vines goes on the say "What is intended here is not dividing Scripture from Scripture, but teaching Scripture accurately".

Lets look at how various translations handle 2 Tim. 2:15

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]The New Living Translation [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2 Timothy 2 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2:15 Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]New International Version [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2 Timothy 2 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. [/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Hebrew Names Version of World English Bible [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2 Timothy 2 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2:15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]World English Bible [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2 Timothy 2 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2:15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]
[/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]GOD'S WORD [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2 Timothy 2 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn't ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly. [FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2 Timothy 2 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.[/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]The New King James Version [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2 Timothy 2 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]
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The Scriptures can only work together properly as a unit.

That is why Paul instructs to keep the unity of the spirit with the tie of peace.

 

[eph3Nine]

You got the definition right...it means to CUT STRAIGHT. and God DOES make divisions in His Word. They are :

Times PAST, But NOW, and ages to COME. Your bible is laid OUT that way. These main divisions are found in Eph 2: 11, 12, 13 and verse 7.

Times PAST : Gen to ACTS...dealing with the Nation Israel

But NOW: Romans thru Philemon...dealing with the Body of Christ, the NEW CREATION.

Ages to Come: Hebrews thru Revelation....dealing AGAIN with the Nation Israel at a future time and AFTER God has raptured His Church, which is His Body.

The OTHER divisions God makes and wants us to acknowledge are Prophecy vs MYSTERY, law vs GRACE, Israel vs the Body of Christ.

Without the knowledge and practice of these main divisions, we do what YOU advocate and mish mash the entire Word of God into ONE big pile and apply it all to ourselves. Gods Word wasnt WRITTEN all TO you or ABOUT you. The majority of it was penned to another audience, and while we can certainly LEARN from ALL the Word of God, its NOT all written TO or ABOUT us!

Without Pauls letters , your bible would be written to and about the Jews. A REAL people, a REAL established nation whose program has been INTERRUPTED by God and substantiated with scripture for PROOF.

When you dont rightly divide as God tells you to, and mix them all together...you become a workman that will be ashamed. God has a purpose and a plan....and TWO programs which He wants KEPT SEPARATE.

 

[Kimberlyann]

Eph. you said , God DOES make divisions in His Word. They are :
Times PAST, But NOW, and ages to COME. Your bible is laid OUT that way. These main divisions are found in Eph 2: 11, 12, 13 and verse 7.


Eph. 2:7

7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Eph. 2:11-13


11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

It is true there was a difference in these two people in times past. But I don't see any divisions now. Let's read the rest of Eph 2.


14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

 

[Kimberlyann]

Eph,

You said, Romans thru Philemon...dealing with the Body of Christ, the NEW CREATION.

Hebrews was written for Jewish believers. Right?
What would you say if I presented you scripture saying they are in the body also?

Here it is,

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Hebrews 13 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]13:3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the body also. [/FONT]

 

[eph3Nine]

rabbit trails....all they do is get your shoes dirty.

 

[Kimberlyann]

I don't know about you, but I've learned things going down those bunny trails that I wouldn't have learned otherwise.

 

[eph3Nine]

"always learning but NEVER coming to a knowledge of the TRUTH"....certainly applies here.

Rabbit trails do nothing more than dirty ones shoes. One must study as God tells us to...to show ourselves approved unto God, one must do it by rightly dividing, which means, acknowledging that Gods program with Israel is NOT the program that we are currently IN, as THAT program will save NO ONE today.

The MYSTERY...and Gods goal that "ALL men SEE what IS the fellowship of the MYSTERY..." Eph 3 Nine...is the BUT NOW that we, as the Church which is His BODY, enjoy today.

A MAJOR fact that seems to elude most who wish to remain in a program that God SET ASIDE.

 

[Kimberlyann]

Understanding comes only from the spirit.

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]John 16 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]16:4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]16:14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. [/FONT]16:15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Why didn't the disciples understand these thing when Jesus first taught them? Because they didn't have the spirit of God yet.



God's spirit never contradicts His Word.



Notice what it says in Revelation,

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Revelation 5 [/FONT]5:10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."

Now notice what it says in Proverbs 25:2

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Proverbs 25 [/FONT]25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

So if we are to be Kings, it is our honour to search out these things.

 

[Kimberlyann]

Eph,

I don't believe we are under the Letter of the Law anymore. We, however , are to have the law ( which is spiritual ), in our hearts. We are not under the law, the curse of the law, or the death threat of the law. God has graced us to keep the spiritual intent of the law from our heart and spirit.

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2 Corinthians 3 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]3:6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit;* for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. [/FONT]

 

[Hedgehog]

Eph, when you immediately respond back with things like "rabbit trails..." you realize that YOU are doing the same thing the Jews did right?

YOU are shutting your eyes/blinding yourself to learning the truth.

Please. Take a look at these scriptures presented. Look at it thru your own eyes, not what you've learned from a dispensationalist, just for a second.

Maybe, just maybe, "ever learning..." applies to *you*.

 

[Hedgehog]

and Im going to agree with Kimberlyann.
I have learned nearly ALL I know from going down those rabbit trails. I like to think of myself as a Berean during those times.

 

[Kimberlyann]

and Im going to agree with Kimberlyann.
I have learned nearly ALL I know from going down those rabbit trails. I like to think of myself as a Berean during those times.

Amen to that.

 

[Kimberlyann]

Let's see if we can believe this verse regarding "Gentiles".

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Philippians 3 [/FONT]3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,


Paul spoke it... Can we believe him?

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Romans 2 [FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]2:29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. [/FONT][/FONT]

 

[eph3Nine]

Understanding comes only from the spirit.

Understanding comes from studying Gods Word the way God tells us to...recognizing that Gods program to Israel is NOT the instructions WE are to follow today...ie: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and all the prophetic scriptures given TO and About that Nation.

Again...the scripture you posted is Jesus ON The earth, speaking to whom?...He was WITH THEM...who is THEM? This can only apply to the Jewish nation.

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]

John 16

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[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]16:4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]16:14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. [/FONT]16:15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Why didn't the disciples understand these thing when Jesus first taught them? Because they didn't have the spirit of God yet.

Again, you are in the book of JOHN...John is a minister to whom? To the Circumcision. Is that us? NOPE...it is the nation Israel. They understood more than we give them credit for...they KNEW of a coming KING and Deliverer...they simply didnt BELIEVE IT when He came. THIS is why God stopped their program midstream and introduced a MYSTERY "hid in God" (note, NOT hid in the OT scriptures...you wont find it there)....The HS never led the KINGDOM saints into the MYSTERY truths, as they were not yet REVEALED but still SECRET!

God's spirit never contradicts His Word.

Gods word, if read with an honesty that many professing believers dont have, DOES contain seeming contradictions...that can only be explained by the solution and FACT of TWO separate programs that IGNORANT believers are trying to cram into ONE space. It will never work...it wasnt INTENDED to work....they arent to BLEND TOGETHER, but to be kept SEPARATE.
/

Notice what it says in Revelation,

[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Revelation 5 [/FONT]5:10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."

Yes, and Hebrews thru Revelation are instructions to those KINGDOM saints who are on the earth long after the Church, the Body of Christ are gone to be with THEIR LORD in the AIR. NO ONE is said to be kings and priests OR to reign on the earth but the Nation ISRAEL: this is THEIR Promise and NOT ours!

Now notice what it says in Proverbs 25:2

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Proverbs 25

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25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

So if we are to be Kings, it is our honour to search out these things.

We are members of His Body...NOT kings. We are the creation...NOT the creator. You yank out scripture that is certainly TRUE, but NOT applicable to YOU the Body of Christ. Bad bible study habits and it will only lead to further confusion.

 

[Tychicum]

Proper "dispensationalism" ranks right behind "the Trinity" in terms of difficulty to explain on an Internet message forum.

If someone has been established as an anti-Trinitarian I believe that it is nearly impossible to argue successfully.

The medium isn't conducive to prayerful contemplation.

I'm sure it has been done ... but why bother?

I think dispensationalism's impact on the Bible's testimony is important to point out ... but anything past that a person has to discover through hard study ...

.

 

[Kimberlyann]

The Bible says that blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.

You will only be filled to the point of your hunger. If your only a little hungry. It doesn't take much to fill you up.
That's all you'll get.

You will only get as much truth as you are willing to obey.

 

[eph3Nine]

The Bible also says that we, the Body of Christ, have BEEN made the righteousness of God IN HIM. PRESENT TENSE...our being "hungry" for righteousness was never the issue, as the bible says "none is righteous, no not ONE".
We dont "GET" more righteousness as "we OBEY" as you so cleverly and mistakenly wrote...we ARE the righteousness of God ....how? IN CHRIST. Thats our ONLY claim to righteousness of ANY kind. You are still trying to operate under the KINGDOM program Kimberlyann. God isnt THERE...but in the MYSTERY program where you seem to be unaware of your identity, your standing and your position IN CHRIST.

Spouting platitudes without understanding the truths God put there for YOU specifically is the plight of many who are satisfied with "religion".

It breaks my heart, and the heart of God that folks simply refuse to "change their minds" when confronted with scripture rightly divided.

 

[Kimberlyann]

Eph,

Let me try to make this clear. I do not believe we are under the Letter of the Law any more. I believe we (Jew and Gentile) are saved by Grace through faith in our Lord Jesus. I also believe that we are all ( Believing Jews and Gentiles) are in the body of Christ. Even Paul says so.


1 Corinthians 12

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body?

 

[eph3Nine]

Eph,

Let me try to make this clear. I do not believe we are under the Letter of the Law any more. I believe we (Jew and Gentile) are saved by Grace through faith in our Lord Jesus. I also believe that we are all ( Believing Jews and Gentiles) are in the body of Christ. Even Paul says so.


1 Corinthians 12

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body?

We are in agreement on the above statements.

 

[Kimberlyann]

I am glad that we finally agree on something. Maybe we are misunderstanding one another. (Lack of communication?)

My argument has been all along that the believing Jews and Gentiles are part of the body. Because there is now no difference between the two.