2 Timothy 2:14 – 16 “How to use the Bible correctly”
I. What does it
say?
A. There is a duty to us regarding the
Bible.
1. We must “correctly handle the word of
truth.”
a. This is important because something is
at stake.
b. We will see this when we expand the
context (unit of thought).
2. This duty is enforced by a test.
a. Paul tells Timothy, “as one approved.”
b. The image is one who has passed a test…
become competent.
B. The is a duty toward others.
1. Context: (larger unity of thought)… Is
the reminding and warning of God’s people.
a. AGAINST quarreling about words [v 14]
b. AVOID godless chatter [v 16]
2. Why is this important?
a. Avoid what is of no value (saves time).
b. Avoid what ruins us (saves the soul).
c. Avoid becoming more and more ungodly
(saves our character and behavior). (In verse 17
it uses the image of gangrene.)
II. How do you
do this?
A. Start with the tools:
1. A clear translation (many fail because
the translation they use is difficult for them to read… it’s foggy).
2. Find a concordance… “an alphabetical
index of the principal words” [dictionary.com] Generally found in the back of a Bible.
[Useful alternative: cross references… generally found in
the “center column.” Concordance has
short sentence so you can scan it quickly.]
3. Paper
and pen (or pencil)… Some has said that a pen is the best set of eyes you have. [Idea: keep this as a journal… it shows your
thought process.]
B. Follow the path….
1. Lots of ideas and models available….
2. Here’s how I do this…
III. I use a
three step process: Observe, Interpret, Application
A. Observe… Start with one
unit (small then expand to larger… CAUTION a unit of thought
must not lose focus).
1. Common sense… what does the text say?
a. Start with the natural reading and
understanding of what you are looking at.
b. Remember that words find meaning in
relationship to others.
[Ill. Printer, road,
glossy, bold, folded…. (Did I just make sense?) Of a Deep Space 9 show where a
virus hit the victims’ brain… they spoke words but because the words were out
not connected then there was not meaning.]
c. Context: the relationship of one word
to another… sentence… paragraph.
2. Proficient:
a. What kind of literature is it?
1.) 2 Timothy is an “Epistle” (letter)… both
personal and instruction.
2.) Epistles are straight forward in linear
logic… one idea leads to the
next. (More on types of literature
tonight.)
3. Advanced:
a. Historical context…
1.) Paul is writing to Timothy a very
personal letter on how to do
ministry.
2.) The principles are good for all to
follow even if you are not in
the formal ministry.)
3.) At this point… admit to an underlying
belief: “priesthood of the
believers.” EVERY believer is in ministry (one why or another).
b. Greek….
1.) “Do your best…” KJV starts with “study”
(word picture). Literally
carries ideas of “hungry” or “diligent” and “obedient.”
[Image of someone who is preparing for something that is
very important… getting a driver’s license.]
2.) “correctly handles” Gr… word picture of
cutting straight.
[Image of Paul, who was a tent maker… the straighter the cut
of the fabric the less waist, the easier to use, the better the final product
is going to look.]
4. Paper
and pen observation:
a. Outline
the unit of thought… make the connections.
1.) Look for repeating words, phrases, or
ideas.
2.) Highlight
the “little words.” [I capitalize them]
a.) But,
even though… PURPOSE
b.) As,
for, so… CORRELATION
c.) To,
also, like… COMPARISON
d.) So
then, therefore… RESULTS
e.) Until,
now, then… TIIME
b. Look for a key word (or two… if the
passage is longer)
B. Interpret (Not that you know what it
says, it’s time to understand what it says!)
1. Write out the timeless truth(s)
[depending on how long the unit is].
a. Idea: What is the principle that
applies to everyone at all times.
b. Stick with the obvious. Keep the “face value.”
c. Be aware of and honestly admit when you
impose another idea on the text.
d. FALSE TEACHERS love to use the word “context”
to misdirect the obvious, plain, and
simple meaning of the text. (Almost
always the
“context” of the wider message of the Bible will mean a theological grid….
Key to pick up on this is when the “context” disagrees
with what you are reading…. Or is used to explain away the meaning.)
2. Using the concordance (or cross
reference) see if there are other passages that address the same
truth. RULE: “Scripture interprets Scripture.”
a. What we are doing is “connecting the
dots.”
b. Example: we will notice 2 Timothy 3:14 –
17
1.) Observe the Bible will make us “wise for
salvation.”
2.) Observe the Bible is useful for four
things…
3.) Observe the Bible is used for a final
goal “thoroughly equipped for
every good work.”
“For we are God's
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in
advance for us to do.” [Ephesians 2:10]
3. How does this connect with Jesus?
a. Maybe it has something to do with our
fallen condition.
b. Maybe it has something to do with God’s
grace
c. Maybe it has something to do with
salvation or justification.
d. Maybe it has something to do with
holiness.
C. Application… what does God want?
1. Categories of what God may want:
a. What do I need to believe?
b. What do I need to see?
c. What do I need to feel?
d. What do I need to want?
e. What do I need to do?
2. Clues in the text:
a. Pay attention to the verbs!
b. Adjectives and Adverbs are commentary.
“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.” [v 15 NIV2011]
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