2Timothy 2:14-15 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
‘Charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.’ Four commands to Timothy: Remind men of the facts of 2Timothy 2:1-13. Charge men not to strive about words to no profit, which only subvert the hearers (2:14). Mere words have often been a source of contention among Christians. Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman unashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2:15). Shun profane and vain babblings (2:16). Christians can never strive or argue over Biblical truths, when someone adds to or take away the literal meaning of the gospel of Christ, they will carry the consequences of such a sin as clearly stated in Revelation 22:18-19.
‘Subverting’ [Greek: katastrophe] an overturning; overthrowing; catastrophe. Translated as “subverting” (2:14) and “overthrow” (2Pet. 2:6). It means here to overthrow the faith of men and cause their backsliding (2:18, 25-26).
‘Study to show thyself approved unto God.’ Without knowing the Word of God – rightly dividing the truth, not one’s own interpretation – there is no relationship with God. The greatest and most important work of satan among men now is to counterfeit the doctrines and experiences of God as revealed in Scripture, to deceive saints (2Cor. 11:14-15; Eph. 6:10-18; 1Tim. 4:1-7; Rev. 12:9-12). Men are commanded to prove and test all doctrines and experiences in the supernatural realm to see if they are of God or satan (1Cor. 2:12-16; Php. 1:9-10; 1Thess. 5:21-22; 1Jn. 4:1-6). Certainly, every religion, doctrine, and experience among men cannot be of God. We must, therefore, judge them by the written Word of God. The knowledge of truth is the first essential in warfare against demons and error. Great is the danger when believers accept anything and everything in the realm of the supernatural as being from the Lord. The fact that the believer is a child of God does not stop the devil from trying in every conceivable way to imitate God to deceive him. Believers are the ones satan concentrates on and wars against.
To be continued…
Living the Word 