New Living Translation
2 Timothy 2:15
15Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
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, for he cannot deny who he is. 14Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus.
Read all of 2 Timothy 22 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 let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.
- 2 Peter 1:10So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.
- 2 Peter 3:14And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
- Acts 2:22“People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.
- Romans 14:18If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.
- Romans 16:10Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus.
- 2 Corinthians 5:9So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.
- 2 Corinthians 10:18When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
- Galatians 1:10Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
- Matthew 13:52Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”
- 2 Corinthians 3:6He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.
- 2 Corinthians 6:3We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.
- 1 Timothy 4:6If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.
- Mark 4:33Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand.
- Luke 12:42And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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