2 Timothy 2:15

-Let your own example back your precepts to your teachers." The stress therefore is to be laid on -thyself."

Study to shew thyself Take pains to present thyself; both verbs are aorists, because that tense gives the verbal ideaalways, and the force intended here is -Have for your ideal in work and aim "thorough." "

approved unto God Or -one who has stood God's testing"; so the substantive in Philippians 2:22 -ye know the proof," i.e. the approved character -of Timothy." In one respect, that is, the Philippians had themselves tested Timothy, viz. how he had served with St Paul in furtherance of the Gospel. The opposite word, -unable to stand the test" occurs Titus 1:16 where see note; and ch. 2 Timothy 3:8.

a workman Implying zeal and activity, as, in a bad cause, Philippians 3:2.

that needeth not to be ashamed Only here in N.T.; in Joseph. Antt. xviii. 7. 1 in the same sense -nor think that one should-not-be-ashamed to be inferior." In classical Greek -shameless" -impudent" is the force of the cognate word. Both senses come from the proper meaning of the verbal ending -that which cannot be made ashamed." Vulg. -operarium inconfusibilem."

rightly dividing This is the literal meaning, whether we refer the dividing to the sacrificial division of victims or to the distributing of bread or to the cutting of a road; or better, with R.V. apparently, take Theodoret's interpretation -we praise those husbandmen who cut their furrows straight," and so get for our second rendering -holding a straight course in the word of truth" (R.V. margin) and for our third (R.V. text) handling aright the word of truth. The word does not occur again in N.T. or classical Greek; but in LXX. Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 11:5, -he shall direct thy paths," -the righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way." Vulg. -recte tractantem."

the word of truth The facts, the doctrines, the creeds, through which God's true work and will for man are revealed.