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. 2 Timothy 2:15
The aim of biblical training is to diligently study and know the Word of God. The study of the Word makes a man of God. We need men of the Word in our pulpits today. But why do we see very less men of the Word in our day and age? I fear many of the so-called top seminaries (from West to East) treat the Bible as secondary (or of no significant value). They consider the ideas and philosophies of men far much superior than the ancient text of the Holy Scriptures.
This verse, then, calls forth the young Timothy to devote to the study of the Word of God. The phrase, “Do your best” implies mental exertion, financial expenses and spiritual effort to present oneself approved before God. The approval is not to men, a church, or institution but God (it is not in completing an academic degree that finds the approval of God but the degree of competency in learning and understanding the Scriptures well). Therefore, the preparation of studying the Scriptures to serve the Lord is un-expendable.
Paul compares the disciples to a workman who does not need be ashamed of his work (profession). A lazy workman tends to blame his tool. God does not need lazy workman in his vineyard. In fact, a lazy workman will be punished when Christ appears in His glory (Matthew 25: 26, 30). He must be a workman who is able to handle the Word of God competently. There is enormous danger in not handling this word rightly. It can lead both the hearers and the speaker to destruction (1 Timothy 4:16). Hence, the call for rightly dividing the word of truth is the need of our day.
Prayer: Gracious God, we need men of the Word and prayer. We need men approved by you. We ask of you to help us be that man that loves your Word and be willing to die for our conviction, amen.
