Rightly Dividing The Word Requires Proper Bible Study

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There are extreme views about the study of the Bible.

One is that the average person cannot understand the Scriptures without assistance of the elite, or as some say, “the laity cannot understand the Scriptures without the clergy”, even though the Bible does not have groups called “laity” or “clergy”. The other extreme is the Bible can be casually read and fully understood.

The truth is between these two extremes - all can understand the Bible if they are willing to put forth the proper effort. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV). To be diligent requires effort and the term “worker” further emphasizes this point. “Rightly dividing” means to handle aright, to teach the truth correctly, which requires a proper method of studying the Bible.

A Bible student must recognize three periods in which God dealt with man. The first period was the Patriarchal (God dealt with the head of the family), then the Mosaical (when God gave the law to Moses) and now the Christian (when God’s Son established the new covenant for all). The New Testament is the law we will be judged by today.

One must have a logical approach to the Scriptures recognizing there are commands to be obeyed, examples to be followed (or avoided depending on the context), and implications that show us how we should conduct our lives. One neglected principle of handling the word aright is respecting the silence of the Scriptures. Some think that if the Bible does not say we cannot do an action then we are permitted to, but we should be looking in the Bible for the command, example, or implication that we can do an action. Think how long the Bible would be if God had to tell us each and every action we were permitted to do or not to do.

All of us should be working to study the Bible so that we can present ourselves approved to God.

David R. Kenney - 02/09/03

"Have You Heard" articles posted with permission.

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