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, since he cannot deny himself. 14Remind people of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen. Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. 16But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, 17and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group.

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 4:11Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
• 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin.
• 2 Peter 3:14Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence.
• Acts 2:22“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man clearly attested to you by God with powerful deeds, wonders, and miraculous signs that God performed among you through him, just as you yourselves know –
• Romans 14:18For the one who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by people.
• Romans 16:10Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
• 2 Corinthians 5:9So then whether we are alive or away, we make it our ambition to please him.
• 2 Corinthians 10:18For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.
• Galatians 1:10Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ!
• 1 Thessalonians 2:4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.
• Matthew 13:52Then he said to them, “Therefore every expert in the law who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his treasure what is new and old.”
• 2 Corinthians 3:6who made us adequate to be servants of a new covenant not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
• 2 Corinthians 6:3We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.
• 1 Timothy 4:6By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
• Mark 4:33So with many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear.
• Luke 12:42The Lord replied, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his household servants, to give them their allowance of food at the proper 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