Approved and Disapproved Workers

It was the late Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse, pastor, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, who said, “If I had only three years to serve the Lord, I would spend two of them studying and preparing.” (Source Unknown). … More

Study

The emphasis in this passage is that the workman needs to be diligent in his labors so that he will not be ashamed when his work is inspected. The word study (v. 15) means “to be diligent, be zealous.” An approved worker studies the Word and seeks to apply it to his own life. An ashamed worker wastes his time with other “religious duties” and has little or nothing to give his class or congregation. Keep away from worthless and useless talk (v. 16). An approved workman knows that false doctrine is dangerous, and he will oppose it. Paul compared it to gangrene (v. 17). Much as gangrene spreads, infects and kills other tissue, so false doctrine spreads and infects believers.

What should be a workman’s (student’s) reaction to doctrinal error (v. 14). Paul is conscience of the rising doctrinal errors within the professing church and stresses to Timothy what his activity should be among these errors. First Timothy must give solemn warning against doctrinal error. He must however refrain from engaging in meaningless “word battles” that are of no profit. Many religious debates in church history have only resulted in stirring up bitterness. His work as a minister must be not to win the approval of men but of God. To be an acceptable minister demands hard work.

Paul named two men who were false teachers, and he also identified their error (v. 17). These false teachers were denying the resurrection of the body. They believed that when a person became a Christian, he or she was spiritually reborn, and that was the only resurrection there would every be (v. 18). Paul clearly taught however, that believers will be resurrected bodily after they die. As an approved minister he must handle the Word of God carefully and be careful not to falsify it in any way. God’s Word is a solid foundation and the Lord knows His own (v. 19).

Application

Lord, help me to memorize verse 15 and then meditate on it. This will be a constant reminder for me to continue in searching the word of God every day.

II Timothy 2:15-19 (English Standard Version)


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