Dividing the word of God

[Dave M]

I often hear people say are you dividing the word of God correctly. It never really dawned on me before but some people actually divide up the word of God something along the lines like, the OT is only for ethnic Jews, only Paul's writings are for Christians, the Gospel of Mathew is for Jews only. That a rough description of what I am starting to see and understand.

First let me say I DO NOT agree with dividing the word of God at all, The NT helps us understand the OT and vice versa. And frankly, that seems racist !! We need all the scripture to understand scripture in itself. Yes I do get the cultural differences and to me that's just not a big deal or important.

Do you divide the word of God? What does the scripture say? I cant find anywhere in scripture that it says to divide the word of God, GOd brings unity and so does his word not division.

2 Timothy 2:15​

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.

2 Timothy 3:16 ​

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings Brother,

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Timothy 2:15 KJV

If we also look at the verses around this one, we see that what is being presented to the reader/hearer is concerning the handling of the Scripture and word of truth

14 Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.

15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.

16 But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness, 17 and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.
BSB version
---------------------------------
A look at the Cambridge Commentary offers this:

rightly dividing] This is the literal meaning, whether we refer the dividing to the sacrificial division of victims or to the distributing of bread or to the cutting of a road; or better, with R.V. apparently, take Theodoret’s interpretation ‘we praise those husbandmen who cut their furrows straight,’ and so get for our second rendering ‘holding a straight course in the word of truth’ (R.V. margin) and for our third (R.V. text) handling aright the word of truth. The word does not occur again in N.T. or classical Greek; Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 11:5, ‘he shall direct thy paths,’ ‘the righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way.’


Bless you Dave ....><>


Jesus is Lord

 

[Br. Bear]

In the case of those who preach(ed) deviation from the word, they are cutting or dividing incorrectly, saying the resurrection is past, chopping and changing what we have and making the word of truth something different, leaving important parts out or adding untruth.

Keep the Faith


Bless you ....><>

 

[Dave M]

Hey Brother Bear thanks for the reply, hope you are well good to see you on here. I am just starting to dig into this topic and appreciated your comments !!

We can see very few translations actually use the word dividing, when we look up the word it means to cut straight. from what I have quickly gathered.
I really like the below saying
"the OT was the NT concealed and the NT was the OT revealed." we have to let scripture interpret scripture where ever possible, IMO and when we divide the word that is not going to happen.

New International Version
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

New Living Translation
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.

Berean Literal Bible
Hasten to present yourself approved to God, a workman not ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

King James Bible
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

New King James Version
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

New American Standard Bible
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

NASB 1995
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

 

[B-A-C]

This is a great subject, but extremely difficult for all to agree on.
It shouldn't be, especially if everyone does have the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit.

 

[B-A-C]

It occurs to me, that some here on TalkJesus do not have the Holy Spirit. They claim to.
But there are obvious signs...

Jude 1:3; Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
Jude 1:4; For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

People who try to "creep in unnoticed" and turn the grace of Jesus into a license to sin. These people are actually denying Jesus anytime they teach this.

Jude 1:10; But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.
Jude 1:11; Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
Jude 1:12; These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted;

The Bible says these people are "doubly dead". Not only are they going to die physically, they are spiritually dead. ... and yet ... they are among us. Pretending to be one of us, and yet they are not.

Jude 1:17; But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Jude 1:18; that they were saying to you, "In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts."
Jude 1:19; These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.

People who say they are Christians... but yet they are "following after their own ungodly lusts".
The Bible says these people are "devoid of the Spirit". They say they have the Holy Spirit and yet their words and actions deny Jesus. They are "devoid". They are without the Holy Spirit.

It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the ability to rightly divide the Word of God.

John 14:26; "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

John 16:13; "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

The Holy Spirit is called the 'Spirit of truth'. There is only one truth. There is only one Spirit. He guides you into truth.

John 14:17; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
John 15:26; "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,

If the Spirit speaking to you, is testifying about Jesus, and teaching you the things Jesus taught... that is the Holy Spirit.
If not... that is the spirit of deception.

 

[Brad Huber]

If you think about it, dividing the word is never good, I know its just an expression, but Christ was not intended to be divided. It is the many christians who are divided and so they divide scripture as well, latching on to certain parts more than others and yes, the Holy Spirit is the guide we need for so much in life, and that so many christians (in name at least...you too ploughboy) avoid the Holy Spirit and stick to scripture alone, and feel more righteous for it.

 

[GodB4Us]

It occurs to me, that some here on TalkJesus do not have the Holy Spirit. They claim to.
But there are obvious signs...

Since saved believers can go astray and even grieve the Holy Spirit in them, is probably why you are not going to find an example or a teaching of a judgment to say to someone "You do not have the Holy Spirit" or "You are not saved".

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

That is why when someone is in error, you correct them by the scripture rather than preach the gospel to them again when they already know it & believe in him. If they do not listen, we bring one or two more witnesses, and if they still do not listen, then bring before the assembly or the church. And if they do not repent then, then excommunication is required, but Jesus will get that lost sheep because He said so earlier.

Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Even if they get left behind at the rapture event, He will finish His work in them. He will get that saved lost sheep as the physical body may die when left behind, but the spirit saved. See how below.

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

So the prodigal son may give up his inheritance of being partakers of the first fruits of the resurrection at the rapture event, but though left behind to die, their spirits will be with the Lord to be resurrected after the great tribulation as the prodigal son coming Home.

Still, while the door to the Marriage Supper is open, may every one that name the name of Christ ask Him for help to make sure they are abiding in Him and trust Jesus Christ to deliver them from every evil work.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

[GodB4Us]

If you think about it, dividing the word is never good, I know its just an expression, but Christ was not intended to be divided. It is the many christians who are divided and so they divide scripture as well, latching on to certain parts more than others and yes, the Holy Spirit is the guide we need for so much in life, and that so many christians (in name at least...you too ploughboy) avoid the Holy Spirit and stick to scripture alone, and feel more righteous for it.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Timothy 2:15 KJV

It is more an expression of rightly applying the word of truth.

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd and He guides us through the Holy Spirit in us. The words we hear from the Holy Spirit are from Jesus Christ. The gifts and the fruits of the Spirit? Are from Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:...
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

There is no ignoring the Holy Spirit in us when He is leading us to go to the Bridegroom in relating to God the Father by.

John 10:1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

However, when saved believers puts the Holy Spirit in the spotlight, instead of the Son ( antichrist means instead of Christ) that opens the door for the spirits of the antichrist to come in & steal the show, seducing believers to relate to God by way of them, their tongues for private use, & their visits with signs and lying wonders rather than by the only way provided and that is by the Son.

It is when saved believers broaden the way in the worship place in fellowship and in prayer in coming to God the Father as if by another way of the Holy Spirit, is why many do not see themselves in iniquity in these latter days and thus not led by the indwelling Holy Spirit to do that, thus grieving Him, even though He still dwells in them.

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Best way to avoid this iniquity is to recognize the actual broadening of the way by including the Holy Spirit as if He is another way, and narrow the way back to the straight gate, the Son of God to avoid being left behind.

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

There is no ignoring the indwelling Holy Spirit when He is leading you by the scriptures to go to the Son in coming to God the Father for all things.

So may Jesus Christ as your Good Shepherd & Friend help you keep your eyes on the Bridegroom for Jesus Christ will be appearing soon.

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings again Dave,

Hey Brother Bear thanks for the reply, hope you are well good to see you on here. I am just starting to dig into this topic and appreciated your comments !!

We can see very few translations actually use the word dividing, when we look up the word it means to cut straight. from what I have quickly gathered.
I really like the below saying
"the OT was the NT concealed and the NT was the OT revealed." we have to let scripture interpret scripture where ever possible, IMO and when we divide the word that is not going to happen.

New International Version
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

New Living Translation
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.

Berean Literal Bible
Hasten to present yourself approved to God, a workman not ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

King James Bible
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

New King James Version
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

New American Standard Bible
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

NASB 1995
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

If we look at the word we are discussing here, 'divide' and what/where it comes from, we can see that it is quite likely to have meant in this verse, to be... "dividing the truth (the word) from that which is not"

Does that help, Brother?


Bless you ....><>

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isaiah 40:3

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

 

[Brad Huber]

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Timothy 2:15 KJV

And how do you know you are "rightly" dividing it? By seeking the councelor, the comforter, the Holy Spirit.

 

[Brad Huber]

And how do you know you are "rightly" dividing it? By seeking the councelor, the comforter, the Holy Spirit.

And unless you have the actual mind of Christ, you probably aren't always rightly dividing it.

 

[GodB4Us]

And how do you know you are "rightly" dividing it? By seeking the councelor, the comforter, the Holy Spirit.

Why seek that Whom is in you? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Go before that throne of grace and ask Jesus for wisdom ( James 1:5-8 & Hebrews 4:12-16 )since all the words of the Holy Ghost in you are relayed from Him in being our Good Shepherd & Friend. John 16:13-15

 

[Brad Huber]

Why seek that Whom is in you? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Go before that throne of grace and ask Jesus for wisdom ( James 1:5-8 & Hebrews 4:12-16 )since all the words of the Holy Ghost in you are relayed from Him in being our Good Shepherd & Friend. John 16:13-15

You just dont get it.

 

[Curtis]

1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

The"mind of Christ" is the mind of the "anointing" which comes by the Holy Spirit.

How the Holy Spirit teaches is in "parts" (linen upon line, precept upon precept) using words not that human wisdom teaches.

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

"......Comparing spiritual things with spiritual"

This is similar to putting a "jigsaw puzzle" together. One part at a time comparing one piece to another. Two pieces formed together form a more clearer image than any one part on its own.

Everyone starts out seeing through a "glass darkly" until eventually, we start seeing more clearly and then face to face.

1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.


1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

The whole process is growing up in Christ from a "child" to a full-grown man of God.

1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

The Holy Spirit "divides" his teaching to his Church one part at a time until we all grow up unto a perfect (mature) man, of the stature of Christ.

 

[GodB4Us]

You just dont get it.

I understand that saved believers have gone astray by promoting a phenomenon of feeling the Holy Spirit fall on them at salvation or at other times later in life as a saved believer. I also know that some will testify to receiving tongues for private use due to this phenomenon at their "salvation" or at other times later in life as a saved believer.

And if that is not enough, more testimonies from others testify to the Holy Spirit falling on them numerous more times like slain in the spirit and holy laughter movement.

So while saved believers promote that which divides the body of Christ as if they have something other professing believers do not have, they ignore when believers that seek it, and yet do not receive, walk away, thus scattered from Jesus Christ.

Do those that scatter, go after them to reassure them that they are saved regardless? No, but why would they, when that experience is part of their testimony and so the fault must be theirs that did not receive; not enough faith or no faith be as it may, thus adding to their self condemnation that are scattered away from Christ, believing the lie that they do not have the Holy Spirit and are unsaved when they are saved for having believed in Him & that God has raised Him from the dead? But trying to convince that to them when those that believe because of a sign of feeling the Holy Spirit falling on them will still glory in that phenomenon as if that is how they were saved for why & how they know they are saved..

So for you to say "You just don't get it" is basically saying," Too bad for you,". Is that an accurate assessment or not?

Do you continue to put your focus on the Holy Spirit rather than what the indwelling Holy Spirit & scripture would lead you to do and that is to put your focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, in relating to God the Father by?

You cannot do both. To do both is to be in the broad way. To strive to enter through the straight gate is to keep your eyes on the Son to avoid the spirits of the antichrist that would take your eyes off of the Son, even for a moment.

 

[GodB4Us]

1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

The"mind of Christ" is the mind of the "anointing" which comes by the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So the mind of Christ is not the mind of the anointing as if your mind is on the anointing or on the Holy Spirit, but on the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[Curtis]

So the mind of Christ is not the mind of the anointing

What does "Christ" mean?

khris-tos'

From G5548; anointed,

 

[GodB4Us]

What does "Christ" mean?

CristoV
Christos

A name given to Jesus as it was derived from another Greek word ;

from criw - chrio 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.

Christ is also a reference to deity.

1 Corinthians 10:4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Greek translators for the Voice would replace Christ with the Anointed One.

1 John 2:20-28 KJV VS The Voice

From the Voice a few believers believe because they are anointed ones also, they are a christ also. Not so.

Only Jesus is the Christ. Otherwise no one could heed this warning if other believers are also a christ.

Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

In other words, Christ does not mean just the Anointed One when it is derived from the Greek criw - chrio but it is not the same as christos.

How Christ is used in scripture defines it as more than just an Anointed One when Christ is also referring to deity.

That is why Jesus is the Christ; whereas the Holy Spirit is the Spirit OF Christ, but not the Christ. May the Lord help us not to lose sight of that Truth.