What "Study" Really Means In II Tim. 2: 15

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (II Tim. 2: 15 KJV)

It is unfortunate that the above scripture has often been misapplied. I have heard it cited all my life (mostly in the PB churches) as a command for Timothy to study the scriptures in order to show oneself approved of God. But, that is not the meaning of Paul's exhortation "to study." What is studied is not the scriptures, but a study of how one is to have God's approval of his labor.

Yes, there is mention of the "word of truth," but that is not what is specifically the object of study. The "word of truth" is to be "rightly divided"; And, this is one aspect of what it means to "study" for God's approval, for God is pleased when men rightly divide his word, but it is not the only aspect. We are to study how we may best labor for the Lord, how we might best serve and please him, how we might be accepted and approved by him, both in our persons and works, and both now and in the day of judgment.

The word "study" is from spoudazō and it is translated in the following ways in the KJV:

endeavour (3x), do diligence (2x), be diligent (2x), give diligence (1x), be forward (1x), labour (1x), study (1x) (Strong)

Had the KJV translators used the word "diligent" or "endeavor" it would have not been as much misapplied to strictly studying scripture, rather than with studying how to live and please God. So we would read it rather as "be diligent (or endeavor) to show yourself approved unto God." Those words, rather than "study," would have kept people from applying it strictly to studying scripture.

Many people study scripture but do not study how to please God and obtain his approval. They are not exactly the same thing.

The words "rightly dividing" are from the singular Greek word orthotomounta (ὀρθοτομοῦντα) and is unique in the Greek, being only used here. Much has been written about its usage in the time of Paul. I believe it is best described by these words - ‘holding a straight course in the word of truth’ (R.V. margin).

The word "workman" is from the Greek ergatēs and is translated as follows in the KJV:

labourer (10x), workman (3x), worker (3x).

On ergatēs Thayer wrote:

"...in Greek writings a workman, a laborer: usually one who works for hire, Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18; especially an agricultural laborer, Matthew 9:37; Matthew 20:1f, 8; Luke 10:2; James 5:4 (Wis. 17:16)."

One of the ideas in the Greek word orthotomounta is that of "cutting straight," as in "cutting a straight line," things which many laborers know a lot about, such as those who plow fields, who must plow in a straight line, or a carpenter who must cut straight, etc.