Study
We are told that the truth shall set us free.[1] And Jesus said he is the truth.[2] How do we discover the truth about Jesus, what he said and what he believed? The easy answer is to study the Bible. Doesn't the bible tell us to study to show thyself approved?[3]
So what is the truth?
We probably cannot know the whole truth but we may know pieces of the truth or at least the truth that God has for us. Only God can know the whole truth.
So how do we get to know the truth?
Some say to study because the Bible says to study. But is that what the author was trying to tell us?
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.
Actually what the author wrote was the Greek word spoudazo which means be diligent. Yes, the word we see translated as study in this text is the Greek word spoudazo meaning to make haste to exert one's self, endeavour, give diligence and is only translated study once in the whole Bible.[4]
The translator decided to tell us the word the author meant there was study. Was there something in the context that might lead us to believe the word should be study and not be diligent?
The verse before is 2 Timothy 2:14 where the author writes :
- "Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers."
Well we see them saying to strive not about words using the Greek word λογομαχέω (logomacheo)[5].
So he does mention words and striving about those words to no profit. But in 2 Timothy 2:15 he specifically talks about being a workman which is the Greek word ἐργάτης ergates[6] which has to do directly with labor.
This would fit right in with James 1:22-23 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:"
We see the same word workman used by Jesus all the time.[7]
We even see Jesus emphasizing doing in many verses[8]
While Christ focused on laborers who were doing work of taking care of the needy of society in Pure Religion and we know that those who got His Baptism were cast out of the Corban of the government of the Pharisees.
We see another word for study in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study[9] to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
The word is φιλοτιμέομαι philotimeomai and it is also not normally translated study but words like strive and labor and is defined as being fond of honour or more specifically to be ambitious or to strive earnestly.
== Footnotes ==
- ↑ 1John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
- ↑ 2John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
- ↑ 32 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
- ↑ 4704 ~spoudazw~ spoudazo \@spoo-dad'-zo\@ from 4710; TDNT-7:559,1069; v AV-endeavour 3, do diligence 2, be diligent 2, give diligence 1, be forward 1, labour 1, study 1; 11 1) to hasten, make haste 2) to exert one's self, endeavour, give diligence
- ↑ 3054 ~λογομαχέω~ logomacheo \@log-om-akh-eh’-o\@ from a compound of 3056 and 3164; v AV-strive about words 1; 1 1) to contend about words 2) to wrangle about empty and trifling matters
- ↑ 2040 ~ἐργάτης~ ergates \@er-gat’-ace\@ from 2041; TDNT-2:635,251; {See TDNT 254} n m AV-labourer 10, workman 3, worker 3; 16 1) a workman, a labourer 1a) usually one who works for hire esp. an agricultural worker 2) one who does, a worker, perpetrator
- ↑ Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers <2040> are few; Matthew 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers <2040> into his harvest. Matthew 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman <2040> is worthy of his meat. Matthew 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers <2040> into his vineyard. Matthew 20:2 And when he had agreed with the labourers <2040> for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. Matthew 20:8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers <2040>, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers <2040> are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers <2040> into his harvest. Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer <2040> is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. Luke 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers <2040> of iniquity.
- ↑ Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Luke 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
- ↑ 5389 ~φιλοτιμέομαι~ philotimeomai middle voice from a compound of 5384 and 5092; ; v AV-strive 1, labour 1, study 1; 3 1) to be fond of honour 1a) to be actuated by love of honour 1b) from a love of honour to strive to bring something to pass 2) to be ambitious 2a) to strive earnestly, make it one’s aim