2Timothy 2:14-16 (Amplified B).
2:14 Remind [the people] of these facts and [solemnly] charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets and undermines the faith of the hearers.
2:15 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 accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
2:16 But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.
Rightly dividing the word of truth, meaning the word of God is true and must be reverence and must be separated from the words of fallacies and must not be adulterated in a bid to spread or in other to teach others.
The reason for the truth is to be sure that the word of God is being rightly propositioned for teaching, to direct, to discipline and for spiritual insight and for human development. The word of truth has to be clearly defined well enough to enable a diligent circulation of the word for precision and greater outlining the beauty contained in the word of truth which is in the word of God.
To the simple minded it sounds like a mere confusion of inharmonious and conflict ideas but to the believer it is a word of wisdom and power.
Paul in his letter to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 says \”Work hard so God can say to you \”Well done\” Be a good workman one who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work, know what His word says and means\”.(TLB). Paul encouraged Timothy in his area of calling to be a \”Workman\” who in his chosen career must be firm and precise in the teching of the word of God he has learnt so that he may teach others correctly and courageously in appropriate divisions without compromising the word so that he will not be ashamed to diligently proclaim what has been written before the public as a teacher of the word of truth.
\”My brethren let not many of you become teachers knowing that we receive a stricter judgement\”. (James 3:1) NKJV.
The study and teaching of the word of God needs thorough understanding and a better hindsight, you need the interpretation of the Holy Spirit to help you with the words you\’re reading for you need the mastering of the word to enable you preach or teach the word. That was why Philip asked the Eutopian Eunuch if he understood the word he was reading in Acts 8:26-30
8:27 So he got up and went. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship.
8:28 And he was [now] returning, and sitting in his chariot he was reading the book of the prophet Isaiah.
8:29 Then the [Holy] Spirit said to Philip, Go forward and join yourself to this chariot.
8:30 Accordingly Philip, running up to him, heard [the man] reading the prophet Isaiah and asked, Do you really understand what you are reading?.
In 1Corinthrans 2:14 the bible says \”The things of God cannot be understood at all without the Holy Spirit for they are spiritually discerned\”.
Paul trying to cautioned Timothy to be careful in the spreading of the good news which is truth in the word of God. He should be watchful not to allow the earthly cares limit him as such make him dilute the truth he ought to say of the word and becloud his reasoning, therefore must endure every cloud of difficulties he may encounter and be resolute to fellow the footsteps of Jesus Christ while on earth preaching.
The important of this instructions are to strengthen the faith of Christains who perhaps for the earthly profits may have lost in the faith to be courageous and diligent in dividing the word of truth in such a manner that it may not attract shame and condemnation to them due to their teaching thereby making people to fail.
Just imagine for a moment about the type of impression the hearthens have for the race of preaching the word of truth now, it has been so much abused that instead of the light and healing associated with the truth that\’s in the word rather you see catasstrophy due to people witnessing it are being divisive over trivial words and things that are becoming aborminable to the kingdom of God as such bringing pleasures to Satan and his cohorts.
\”Blessed is the man who persevered under trial because when he has stood the test , he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who loves Him\”. (James 1:12).
May you be richly Blessed 🙏 Thanks ✍️ Blessing I N Onugha.