How do you interpret the Apostle Paul's direction to Timothy regarding "rightly dividing the word of truth"?

Question

I apologize for not including where Paul instructs Timothy on this matter. It is 2 Timothy 2:15.

Answer 1

To "rightly divide" means that God has dealt with mankind at different times with different expectations from him. Although it is profitable for us to read the entire Bible (2Tim.3:16), it is imperative that we understand which part of the Bible is intended primarily for us in this time of Grace.

In every dispensation, righteousness before God has always been achieved by believing what God has said and acting upon it. For example, the law required every male child to be circumcised, but that is not God's requirement today.

The LAW says: And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. Gen. 17:14.


But GRACE says: And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands...Col. 2:10,11.





There were also many dietary laws, and one in particular many people remember is the prohibition not to eat pork. But under the dispensation of Grace, we are not under those prohibitions.


The LAW says: And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: Ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass. Deut. 14:8


But GRACE says: For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 1Tim: 4:4



And the Sabbath day. In our day of grace, one day is like unto another. All are to be lived to the glory of God.


The Law says: Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God...Ex. 20:8,10.


But GRACE says: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days... Col.2:16,17

Answer 2

I just read through 1 and 2 Timothy and I couldn't find the verse you are talking about. If you could please post the verse number and the version you are using, I could answer more completely.

Without knowing the context, it seems to me that Paul is simply telling Timothy to bring the word of truth to all the world. Right now, Timothy has the entire gift, the message, the love and forgiveness of Christ, the Holy Spirit, etc. and Paul is telling him not to keep it to himself, but go and spread it, divide it, and share it. Again, without the context, all I can do is answer based on Paul's other chareges to aTimothy- perservere in the word and the faith, continue with the ministry, fight the good fight.

Answer 3

It means to understand by reason of the entire body of other scriptures. We get the proper interpretation by reason of the guides other scriptural principles show rather than the often ridiculous thoughts of men.

For example, those on R&S for some time have all read answers from people trying to explain the trinity. Have you every witnessed a greater trainwreck? If they are pressed further, they come down to, "It's a mystery!"

Clearly there are some things we do not understand as yet. The trinity is not one of them. Looking back at its' history, we see it started not from the Bible, but from pagan teachings. Jesus never believed it. He plainly said, "My Father is greater than I am." (John 14:28) This was after he said, "I and the Father are one.' and 'I am in union with the Father.'" (John 10:30; 14:20) We can rightly divide the word of truth by seeing "one" and "union" to mean agreeing, not the same. This is brought out by other scriptures pointing to being in agreement or of the same mind or line of thought.

Those believing in the trinity will get almost violent over anyone disagreeing even if it is Jesus, himself.