Post by garywalker on Jan 23, 2011 10:07:30 GMT -5
It's my intent, by writing this piece, to explain in clear understandable
terms what the meaning of "right division" is. And why it's so essential
for us, as believers, to view and study the scriptures in just that way.
It should be noted at the outset of this article that for us to gain God's
approval we would be wise to strongly consider Paul's admonition to
us to study God's word God's way, and that is to place each portion of
scripture precisely where God has predetermined it to be placed.
It shouldn't be surprising to us that the Holy Spirit chose to use the
words "rightly divide" in 2 Timothy 2:15, for those words adequately
describe His intent. While many of the modern translations change
those words to say things such as "handling accurately", "correctly
handles" or "correctly analyzing" it must be noted that those words
are not found in the vast majority of the copied manuscripts that were
used to translate the King James version of the Bible. No, the Holy
Spirit did not use those words but chose instead to say exactly what
He meant to say, nothing more and nothing less.
In the Greek language the word for rightly dividing is " orthotomeo"
which when translated into English means to "cut straight". No where
in scripture do we find this word being used in regard to the scriptures
except in Paul's epistles. Again, it should not be surprising that Paul
through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, would use this particular
word to illustrate for us how we are to study God's word, for Paul
himself, being a tentmaker by trade, knew all too well the importance
of "cutting something straight".
Tents were the accepted mode of dwellings, or housing, for people
of the desert. These people were known as Nomads who wandered
for the purpose of pasturing their herds. Tentmakers in those days
were highly sought after for an obvious reason.
The material they used for making tents was tightly woven black
goat's hair. Fabrics such as burlap or canvas were not yet in existence.
Each tent design was determined by the size of the family the tent
was to house. Some tents had as many as 4, 5, or as many as 8 or
more compartments.
The tentmaker would then lay out the woven fabric on the ground
and "cut" the pieces that would be required for each compartment.
Enormous amounts of fabric were often needed to complete such a
project. Each section was measured and rightly cut. Large areas such
as the floor, the roof, the outer and inner walls, after being cut, were
then woven together with the remnants or remaining pieces of the cut
fabric. Because of the cost of this kind of fabric NO PART OF THE
FABRIC WAS EVER DISCARDED OR WASTED.
A skilled tentmaker would know precisely how much fabric was needed
to complete his task.
Believers who understand the value and importance of rightly dividing
the scriptures are often accused of "chopping up the Bible" and
"discarding" what they deem as unnecessary. Nothing could be further
from the truth.
The tentmaker, who started with layer upon layer, or bolts, if you will
of fabric stacked on the ground, with no discernible form to it, would
create, in the end, a thing of beauty that was completely useful and in
all ways functional. If he didn't succeed at doing that then he would not
have the approval of the one who appointed him for the work. He would
suffer loss.
While it's true that we are to accurately and correctly handle God's word
of truth, we must first rightfully divide it so as to discern the difference
between that which is "prophesy" (relating to Israel) and that which is
mystery (relating to the church, which is His body, the body of Christ).
It's my hope that this small illustration, using earthly things, will cause
those who don't rightly divide the scriptures to look more closely at the
monumental importance of doing that. For we will all stand before the
judgment seat of Christ and give an account of our WORK, whether it be
good or bad. It's not God's desire that you suffer loss but rather that
you receive a reward.
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, A WORKMAN that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2 :15)
terms what the meaning of "right division" is. And why it's so essential
for us, as believers, to view and study the scriptures in just that way.
It should be noted at the outset of this article that for us to gain God's
approval we would be wise to strongly consider Paul's admonition to
us to study God's word God's way, and that is to place each portion of
scripture precisely where God has predetermined it to be placed.
It shouldn't be surprising to us that the Holy Spirit chose to use the
words "rightly divide" in 2 Timothy 2:15, for those words adequately
describe His intent. While many of the modern translations change
those words to say things such as "handling accurately", "correctly
handles" or "correctly analyzing" it must be noted that those words
are not found in the vast majority of the copied manuscripts that were
used to translate the King James version of the Bible. No, the Holy
Spirit did not use those words but chose instead to say exactly what
He meant to say, nothing more and nothing less.
In the Greek language the word for rightly dividing is " orthotomeo"
which when translated into English means to "cut straight". No where
in scripture do we find this word being used in regard to the scriptures
except in Paul's epistles. Again, it should not be surprising that Paul
through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, would use this particular
word to illustrate for us how we are to study God's word, for Paul
himself, being a tentmaker by trade, knew all too well the importance
of "cutting something straight".
Tents were the accepted mode of dwellings, or housing, for people
of the desert. These people were known as Nomads who wandered
for the purpose of pasturing their herds. Tentmakers in those days
were highly sought after for an obvious reason.
The material they used for making tents was tightly woven black
goat's hair. Fabrics such as burlap or canvas were not yet in existence.
Each tent design was determined by the size of the family the tent
was to house. Some tents had as many as 4, 5, or as many as 8 or
more compartments.
The tentmaker would then lay out the woven fabric on the ground
and "cut" the pieces that would be required for each compartment.
Enormous amounts of fabric were often needed to complete such a
project. Each section was measured and rightly cut. Large areas such
as the floor, the roof, the outer and inner walls, after being cut, were
then woven together with the remnants or remaining pieces of the cut
fabric. Because of the cost of this kind of fabric NO PART OF THE
FABRIC WAS EVER DISCARDED OR WASTED.
A skilled tentmaker would know precisely how much fabric was needed
to complete his task.
Believers who understand the value and importance of rightly dividing
the scriptures are often accused of "chopping up the Bible" and
"discarding" what they deem as unnecessary. Nothing could be further
from the truth.
The tentmaker, who started with layer upon layer, or bolts, if you will
of fabric stacked on the ground, with no discernible form to it, would
create, in the end, a thing of beauty that was completely useful and in
all ways functional. If he didn't succeed at doing that then he would not
have the approval of the one who appointed him for the work. He would
suffer loss.
While it's true that we are to accurately and correctly handle God's word
of truth, we must first rightfully divide it so as to discern the difference
between that which is "prophesy" (relating to Israel) and that which is
mystery (relating to the church, which is His body, the body of Christ).
It's my hope that this small illustration, using earthly things, will cause
those who don't rightly divide the scriptures to look more closely at the
monumental importance of doing that. For we will all stand before the
judgment seat of Christ and give an account of our WORK, whether it be
good or bad. It's not God's desire that you suffer loss but rather that
you receive a reward.
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, A WORKMAN that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2 :15)