What does Rightly Dividing actually mean or 2 Timothy 2:15? Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (kjv)
Paul states in 2 Timothy 2:7, Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. How many things will you have an understanding of if you consider what he states? Again, all things "spiritual". Does God say consider what Peter or John say and the Lord give thee understanding in all things? No, he says to consider what Paul says and that's thirteen books, plus a portion in the book of Acts. So we are to compare Paul's 13 epistles to the rest of Gods word.
2 Timothy 2:15 commands believers: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Paul's command is given by the Lord himself, we know this because Paul states in 1 Corinthians 14:37 "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord". So we see how we have a direct order from the Lord through Paul telling us what to do with the word of truth, we are to study it, rightly (not wrongly).
We are to divide the word from itself, in particular Paul's 13 epistles from the other books of God's word and of course we need to rightly divide Paul's early epistles from his later epistles.
2 Timothy 2:15 commands believers: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Paul's command is given by the Lord himself, we know this because Paul states in 1 Corinthians 14:37 "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord". So we see how we have a direct order from the Lord through Paul telling us what to do with the word of truth, we are to study it, rightly (not wrongly).
We are to divide the word from itself, in particular Paul's 13 epistles from the other books of God's word and of course we need to rightly divide Paul's early epistles from his later epistles.
