2 Timothy 2:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

NIV: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

NASB: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

CSB: Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.

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.

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

NKJV: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

After commenting about false teachers in the previous verse, Paul urges Timothy to view himself as a worker seeking to please God. Any worker or servant should desire to satisfy the expectations of his or her boss. Timothy was to view his work for God in the same way. He was not serving to please other people, but to please the Lord. Paul knew well the many ways the world can distract a Christian's focus. These worldly forces would seek to draw Timothy's attention to making people happy, rather than viewing the Lord as the one to please.

Timothy's challenge is not only to be approved, but to be a worker "who has no need to be ashamed." Paul had already spoken of not being ashamed on three occasions in the previous chapter (2 Timothy 1:8, 12, 16). During times of suffering, Paul felt the need to emphasize boldness in faith to those tempted to avoid hardship and persecution. His boldness also involved "rightly handling the word of truth." In contrast with the false teachers who argued over words, Timothy had learned the Scriptures from his youth and was to handle it accurately.

The distinction presented here is important. In the prior verse, Paul condemned pointless bickering. Here, he commends deeper study. Putting these two ideas together gives us an accurate picture of what Christian discernment is meant to look like. There are some issues which involve the "soundness" of the gospel message, and others which do not. We need to study diligently, not only to defend the faith, but to know the difference between something worth battling over, and something which is just a distracting argument.

Second Timothy 2:14–26 contains Paul's instructions to Timothy about leading other believers. Two important themes here are avoiding pointless bickering and holding to sound biblical teachings. Arguments over non-essential issues quickly turn into feuds, poisoning the body of Christ just as gangrene attacks the physical body. Paul names specific false teachers, but brings a note of compassion. Here, he reminds Timothy that gentleness and patience are key. After all, those who do not believe are not our enemies: they are those we are trying to rescue from the control of the Devil!

Paul gives Timothy a clear mandate to defend the truth. This includes both upholding the gospel accurately, and presenting that defense in a gentle and loving way. While truth is important, Paul also notes that there are some issues which are only distractions. He considers these "babble," and arguments over them a form of spiritual disease. Like gangrene, this bickering only spreads and spreads until it becomes catastrophic. The ultimate goal of our evangelism is not to "win" an argument, but to rescue lost people.

In chapter 1, Paul gave Timothy encouragement by reminding him of his heritage and spiritual power. Here, in chapter 2, Paul expands on these commands. Rather than giving minute details, Paul presents a series of examples and tells Timothy to consider them carefully. Paul's instructions here set the stage for the warnings coming up in the next chapter. Timothy—and all believers—need to be prepared and right-minded, because the world is going to become spiritually darker and darker.

Second Timothy is the last New Testament letter written by Paul. Paul writes these words while awaiting execution by Rome. At this time, around AD 67, Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus. Paul writes to Timothy in order to encourage him. Paul is facing the worst of all hardships: his own impending death. So, he encourages Timothy to stand strong in his faith, with a reliance on the written Word of God. This letter echoes many of the themes Paul uses in his other letters.