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

Do you study the Bible? If not you are disobeying two direct commands from the Lord and a multitude of others.

To study means to use speed, to make effort, be prompt or earnest, do diligence, give diligence, be diligent, endeavor and labor. If you do not study the Bible, no one, not even you yourself, will know that God approves of you. In fact He does not. If you do not study the Bible you will not be doing the work God has for you. If you do not study the Bible you will have many things to be ashamed of. If you do not study the Bible you will not be able to rightly divide it.

Albert Barnes* New Testament Commentary:

Rightly dividing the word of truth: The word here rendered *rightly dividing,* occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, to cut straight, to divide right; and the allusion here may be to a steward who makes a proper distribution to each one under his care of such things as his office and their necessities require.
The Robinson Lexicon renders it,
*rightly proceeding as to the word of truth;* that is, rightfully and skilfully teaching the word of truth. The idea seems to be, that the minister of the gospel is to make a proper distribution of that word, adapting his instructions to the circumstances and wants of his hearers, and giving to each that which will be fitted to nourish the soul for heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:11: And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

The word study only appears twice in the New Testament. They are both direct and important commands from God. The truth of the Bible applies to both teachers and disciples. We are first disciples and some become teachers. But we are ALL to study the Bible. Studying the Bible is commanded to all of us. The Thessalonians passage instructs all of us to apply the Bible specifically and personally to ourselves and our lives. Study to be quiet, do your own business and work with your own hands.

If we do not study the Bible we will probably talk too much, we probably won*t mind our own business and we probably won*t work with our own hands. I have often had all of those problems. Among the believers that I know the ones that study the Bible the most don*t talk too much, they mind their own business and do their own work. They learn the will of God and put it above their own will. They live lives that are pleasing to God, a blessing to others and satisfying to themselves. Without the Bible you will wander around aimlessly in a useless non-life.

Care to discuss Study with Ron?

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