15 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. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,” (2 Timothy 2:15–17 (ESV)
How often have we heard a parent, a teacher or a coach say “Do your best.” It is an encouragement or challenge to give the most effort you can.
The Apostle Paul exclaimed the same thing to his young protégé Timothy; The statement do your best (σπούδασον; spoudason) is an aorist active imperative singular verb. It means to wholeheartedly, actively and obediently be eager, be zealous and work hard. Rather than an encouragement praising minimum effort, it is a command for maximum effort.
The statement to present yourself (παραστῆσαι; parastesai) is an aorist active infinitive verb. It means to wholeheartedly, actively and infinitely conduct oneself with a maximum effort. For whom are we to do give our best? To whom are we to give our maximum effort? Paul commanded Timothy to do his best for God. God’s Word commands believers in Christ to be equally obedient.
The phrase as one approved (δόκιμον; dokimon) is one word in the Greek language. It means tested, genuine and sincere. A worker (ἐργάτην; ergaten) is a workman worthy of his pay. He is a doer, regardless of what he does. He may be a soldier, athlete or a farmer. He may be a butcher, baker or candlestick maker. In Timothy’s case, he may be a pastor who preaches the Word of God.
Such a worker who gives God their maximum effort has no need to be ashamed (ἀνεπαίσχυντον; anepaischynton). This refers to a feeling of disgrace. Why? It is because they are giving their maximum effort to rightly divide the word of truth.
To phrase rightly handling (ὀρθοτομοῦντα; orthotomounta) is a present active participle. It means to guide along a straight path by teaching correctly. My grandfather was a tailor by trade and talent. He expertly cut material with a sure and steady hand, along with sharp scissors. The apostle Paul used this word encouraging Timothy to expound God’s Word in a correct manner.
“Be diligent” – spoudazō in the Greek – means to give maximum effort. I know the old King James said, “Study to show yourself approved” – it’s not the word “study,” it’s “be diligent,” be eager. This is not a picture of a student; this is a picture of a master craftsman. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed.” You don’t want to bring your work up to God if it’s a work to be ashamed of,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
“Timothy, then, must be a workman, not a quibbler. His work, moreover, must be such that it does not reflect shame on him and that he does not need to fear that shame will cover him when he hears the divine verdict with respect to it. This means, of course, that he is the kind of leader who is engaged in “rightly handling the word of the truth.” This word of the truth is “the testimony concerning our Lord” (2 Tim. 1:8), “the gospel” (same reference and see Eph. 1:13), “the word of God” (2 Tim. 2:9). It is God’s redemptive truth. The modifier “of the truth” emphasizes the contrast between God’s unshakeable special revelation, on the one hand, and the Ephesian errorists’ worthless chatter on the other.”[1]
In light of this solemn responsibility, pastors are to avoid irreverent babble (βεβήλους κενοφωνίας; bebelous kenophonieas). This is pointless, empty talk and chatter. It is foolish conversation, which is void of God’s wisdom. Such conversation will only lead people into further ungodliness. It will also spread like gangrene (γάγγραινα; gangraina), which is a cancer or an eating sore. To spread (νομὴν; nomen) means to increase and graze, Paul gave Timothy two examples of such foolish talkers: Hymenaeus and Philetus.
“Their word or talk will devour. It will “have pasture,” just like cattle “have pasture,” eating away in every direction. The foolish disputes of the jabberers will resemble a gangrene or malignant tumor. Not only does the cancer eat away the healthy tissue, but in doing so it also aggravates the condition of the patient. Similarly, heresy, advertised by too much attention, will develop both extensively and intensively. By adversely affecting an ever-increasing proportion of the membership it will tend to destroy the organism of the church.”[2]
Men and women of God must always be on their guard to not only avoid foolish talk, but also to rightly divide the word of truth; when and where appropriate. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 262.
[2] Ibid., 264.
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