2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
• New International Version (NIV)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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Context of 2 Timothy 2:15

13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful because he cannot be untrue to himself. 14Remind believers about these things, and warn them in the sight of God not to quarrel over words. Quarreling doesn’t do any good but only destroys those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn’t ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly. 16Avoid pointless discussions. People who ⌞pay attention to these pointless discussions⌟ will become more ungodly, 17and what they say will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that.

2 Timothy 2:15 word by word

σπούδασον σεαυτὸν δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ θεῷ, ἐργάτην ἀνεπαίσχυντον, ὀρθοτομοῦντα τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Studyσπουδάζωspoudazō · be eagerG4704
• to shewπαρίστημιparistēmi paristanō · to stand byG3936
• thyselfσεαυτοῦseautou seautō seauton sautou sautō sauton · yourselfG4572
• approvedδόκιμοςdokimos · testedG1384
• unto Godὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• unto Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• a workmanἐργάτηςergatēs · workerG2040
• that needeth not to be ashamedἀνεπαίσχυντοςanepaischuntos · unashamedG422
• rightly dividingὀρθοτομέωorthotomeō · to cut straightG3718
• the wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• of truthἀλήθειαalētheia · truthG225

Cross-references for 2 Timothy 2:15

• Hebrews 4:11So we must make every effort to enter that place of rest. Then no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey.
• 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, brothers and sisters, use more effort to make God’s calling and choosing of you secure. If you keep doing this, you will never fall away.
• 2 Peter 3:14Therefore, dear friends, with this to look forward to, make every effort to have him find you at peace, without ⌞spiritual⌟ stains or blemishes.
• Acts 2:22“Men of Israel, listen to what I say: Jesus from Nazareth was a man whom God brought to your attention. You know that through this man God worked miracles, did amazing things, and gave signs.
• Romans 14:18The person who serves Christ with this in mind is pleasing to God and respected by people.
• Romans 16:10Greet Apelles, a true Christian. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.
• 2 Corinthians 5:9Whether we live in the body or move out of it, our goal is to be pleasing to him.
• 2 Corinthians 10:18It isn’t the person who makes his own recommendation who receives approval, but the person whom the Lord recommends.
• Galatians 1:10Am I saying this now to win the approval of people or God? Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:4Rather, we are always spreading the Good News. God trusts us to do this because we passed his test. We don’t try to please people but God, who tests our motives.
• Matthew 13:52So Jesus said to them, “That is why every student of the Scriptures who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a home owner. He brings new and old things out of his treasure chest.”
• 2 Corinthians 3:6He has also qualified us to be ministers of a new promise, a spiritual promise, not a written one. Clearly, what was written brings death, but the Spirit brings life.
• 2 Corinthians 6:3We don’t give people any opportunity to find fault with how we serve.
• 1 Timothy 4:6You are a good servant of Christ Jesus when you point these things out to our brothers and sisters. Then you will be nourished by the words of the Christian faith and the excellent teachings which you have followed closely.
• Mark 4:33Jesus spoke ⌞God’s⌟ word to them using many illustrations like these. In this way people could understand what he taught.
• Luke 12:42The Lord asked, “Who, then, is the faithful, skilled manager that the master will put in charge of giving the other servants their share of food at the right time?

Commentaries on 2 Timothy 2:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15Study to show thyself approved unto God - Endeavour so to cultivate and improve thy heart and mind, that thou mayest not be a reproach to him from whom thou professest to receive thy commission. Rightly dividing the word of truth - It is generally supposed that the apostle alludes here to the care taken to divide the sacrifices under the law; the priests studied, in dividing the victim down the spine, to do it so scrupulously that one half of the spinal…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15Study to show thyself approved unto God - Give diligence 2 Peter 2:10, or make an effort so to discharge the duties of the ministerial office as to meet the divine approbation. The object of the ministry is not to please men. Such doctrines should be preached, and such plans formed, and such a manner of life pursued, as God will approve. To do this demands study or care - for there are many temptations to the opposite course; there are many things the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-21Verses 14-21 Those disposed to strive, commonly strive about matters of small moment. But strifes of words destroy the things of God. The apostle mentions some who erred. They did not deny the resurrection, but they corrupted that true doctrine. Yet nothing can be so foolish or erroneous, but it will overturn the temporary faith of some professors. This foundation has two writings on it. One speaks our comfort. None can overthrow the faith of any whom God…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15accurately handles the word of truth: The Berean Standard Bible connects this verse to interpreting the gospel teachings correctly. Another possibility is that the apostle Timothy should remain focused on his teaching ministry and avoid getting involved in the arguments of false teachers (see 1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 2:16).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. Study--Greek, "Be earnest," or "diligent." to show--Greek, "present," as in Ro 12:1. thyself--as distinguished from those whom Timothy was to charge (2Ti 2:14). approved--tested by trial: opposed to "reprobate" (Tit 1:16). workman--alluding to Mt 20:1, &c. not to be ashamed--by his work not being "approved" (Php 1:20). Contrast "deceitful workers" (2Co 11:13). rightly dividing--"rightly handling" [Vulgate]; "rightly administering" [Alford]; literally…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Timothy 2:15

• Minister, Christian
• Preaching
• Truth
• Word of God

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Acknowledge
• Approved
• Commit
• Deny
• Eat
• Endure
• Entangle
• Eternal

Commentaries on 2 Timothy 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings