Rightly Divide the Word of Truth

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15)

The story goes of a preacher who never studied his Bible, never prepared his sermons in advance and just stood behind the pulpit and allowed his Bible to fall open at random, placed his finger on a verse and then he would preach on that verse.

One Sunday morning his Bible fell open to Matthew 27:5 which says, “And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.” Well, he hardly knew what to say, so he tried again. This time his Bible fell open to Luke 10:37. He placed his finger on the latter part of the verse which says, “Go, and do thou likewise.” By now he was desperate. He tried again, his Bible falling open to John 13:37. His eyes focused on the words, “Then said Jesus unto him, ‘what thou doest, do quickly.’”  He dismissed the congregation.

If the Bible can be “rightly” divided, as our text admonishes, obviously this little story illustrates how it can be “wrongly” divided.

Whether one is reading the Bible for personal edification and divine direction or preparation to teach others, we must take time to read it in its context, comparing it with other scriptures making sure we are not making it say things that it does not say.