2 Timothy 2:15

σπούδασον : Give diligence to present thyself (as well as thy work) to God, approved.

ἀνεπαίσχυντον : Chrys. takes this to mean a workman that does not scorn to put his hand to anything; but it is better explained as a workman who has no cause for shame when his work is being inspected. In any case, the word must be so explained as to qualify ἐργάτης naturally; and therefore it cannot be interpreted by a reference to 2 Timothy 1:8 (μὴ ἐπαισχυνθῇς), of the shame that may deter a man from confessing Christ.

ὀρθοτομοῦντα : ὀρθοτομέω is found in reff. as the translation of ישׁר (Piel) direct, make straight, make plain. “He shall direct thy paths,” “The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way”. This use of the word suggests that the metaphor passes from the general idea of a workman to the particular notion of the minister as one who “makes straight paths” (τροχιὰς ὀρθάς) for the feet of his people to tread in (Hebrews 12:13). The word of truth is “The Way” (Acts 9:2, etc.). Theodoret explains it of a ploughman who drives a straight furrow. Similarly R.V. m. (1), Holding a straight course in the word of truth. Chrys., of cutting away what is spurious or bad. Alf. follows Huther in supposing that the idea of cutting has passed out of this word, as it has out of καινοτομεῖν, and renders, rightly administering, as opposed to “adulterating the word of God” (2 Corinthians 2:17). Other examples of words which have wholly lost their derivational meaning are πρόσφατος and συκοφαντέω. The imagery underlying the A.V., R.V.m. (2), rightly dividing, is either that of the correct cutting up of a Levitical victim (Beza), or a father (Calvin), or steward (Vitringa), cutting portions for the food of the household. The R.V., handling aright, follows the Vulg., recte tractantem, and gives the general sense well enough. The use of ὀρθοτομία in the sense of orthodoxy, in Clem. Al. Strom. vii. xvi., and Eus. H. E. iv. 3, is probably based on this passage.