Almost everyone can come up with a reasonable definition or understanding of the word “STUDY” as we use it in today’s communication. In addition, most believers are familiar with the instruction of II Timothy 2:15:
Be diligent (study or labor) to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
In this New Testament passage, one finds the Greek root word, spoudason, literally meaning to:
1. make an effort
2. be earnest/serious.
3. endeavor/exert effort.
The KJV and Amplified translators used the word “study” because the “accurate handling” of God’s Word is of the essence, and the implied method to reach that result could only be achieved through consistent diligence in one’s personal study.
The grammatical Greek structure found here in II Timothy 2:15 is second person, singular, aorist (tense) active (voice), imperative (mood) verb, which conveys the idea of saying … “Do your best, make haste, give diligence, hurry on, and be eager about showing yourself approved unto God” – all in the use of one word, “STUDY!”
The Apostle Paul used the same word in Ephesians 4:3, with the same emphasis, concerning the preservation of unity within the church body where “endeavor,” as used in some English translations, is too weak of a word. Paul’s intention was to stir up his son in the faith, Timothy, now the young lead pastor at the church in Ephesus, so that he would seek the Lord’s approval in/while handling, instructing, teaching, equipping, and training the believers in that community.
Pastor Tim was not instructed to seek any level of human approval, like that of the community at large or even of those in the congregation; instead, His Lord’s endorsement, and in so doing would ultimately prove himself to all as being a responsible workman according to his gifts and callings.
Therefore, the approved workman diligently and steadfastly studies the Word … first, seeking to apply it / live it personally, then sharing it with those he/she teaches, trains and equips so they can do the same. The Word is the workman’s tool for building up the body of Christ until we “attain unity of the faith,” and become mature individuals in Christ through the knowledge of Christ! (See Ephesians 4:12-13)
Then, as a result of the workman who is approved by God Himself and not ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth, believers no longer act like children, tossed around by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men and deceitful scheming, but instead, speak the truth in love, and grow up in Him, the fullness of Christ Jesus! (From Ephesians 4:14-15) The entire body then successfully comes together and is held together according to the proper working of each individual. This always causes the growth and even more maturing as Christ’s Body, His Church, is being built up and strengthened in genuine love (of/for Christ, His word, and one another)! (From Ephesians 4:16)
The sloppy and ashamed workers get all hung up on other distractions — what others think of them, how they themselves feel about a topic or subject, what others are doing and saying, or even how their teaching(s) may be accepted. Some of these even handle the word of truth deceitfully in order to twist it into saying exactly what they want it to say. As they waste time on these things (some trivial and some complete heresy), they have little or nothing to give of true substance, that spiritually-enriched meat that brings about powerful life transformation!
My sincere prayer and personal desire as your pastor is for each and every believer at West Oaks Fellowship to become an approved worker who is not ashamed, and can accurately handle the word of truth on a daily, moment-by-moment basis.
Nonetheless, that dream/goal is unattainable unless God’s people are: 1) making an effort. 2) earnest/serious. 3) endeavoring/exerting effort.
How then shall we live? (See Matthew 4:4) — His & yours, PF
