Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Study—Greek, "Be earnest," or "diligent."
to show—Greek, "present," as in Romans 12:1.
thyself—as distinguished from those whom Timothy was to charge (II Timothy 2:14).
approved—tested by trial: opposed to "reprobate" (Titus 1:16).
workman—alluding to Matthew 20:1, etc.
not to be ashamed—by his work not being "approved" (Philippians 1:20). Contrast "deceitful workers" (II Corinthians 11:13).
rightly dividing—"rightly handling" [Vulgate]; "rightly administering" [ALFORD]; literally, cutting "straight" or "right": the metaphor being from a father or a steward (I Corinthians 4:1) cutting and distributing bread among his children [VITRINGA and CALVIN], (Luke 12:42). The Septuagint, Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 11:5, use it of "making one's way": so BENGEL here takes Paul to mean that Timothy may make ready a straight way for "the word of truth," and may himself walk straight forward according to this line, turning neither to the right nor to the left, "teaching no other doctrine" (I Timothy 1:3). The same image of a way appears in the Greek for "increase" (see on II Timothy 2:16). The opposite to "rightly handling," or "dispensing," is, II Corinthians 2:17, "corrupt the word of God."
truth—Greek, "the truth" (compare II Timothy 2:18).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 2 Timothy 2:15:
Ephesians 1:13
Philippians 3:2
1 Timothy 6:20-21
2 Timothy 2:16
2 John 1:8
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