“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)

work hard

1. We all need reminders, directions, and encouragement to focus important things. Paul writes to Timothy, his son in the faith, giving him a final reminder. Paul is determined to help Timothy stay the course. Because this is Paul’s last letter, its message is especially poignant. These final words probably meant more to Timothy than we can imagine. But these words should have a similar effect upon us.
2. Be diligent encourages us to be eager, to do our utmost, to work hard. Paul himself illustrates this attitude. Even in prison he is still serving the Lord in every way he can. We must be diligent to make our calling and election sure (2 Pt.1:10).
3. Present yourself, a judicial term, probably includes the thought of standing before God to account for our deeds. We will give an account for every word, thought, and deed.
4. Approved. This word, commonly used of testing coins, is used here of our testing as Christians (2 Corinthians 13:5).
5. A worker. Would anyone consider you a worker? The one talent man was condemned for hiding his talent.
6. Who does not need to be ashamed. We must not be ashamed of the gospel. “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory…” (Luke 9:26). We must not allow our words and works to cause us eternal regrets.
7. Rightly dividing, used of cutting something straight, refers to correct teaching and its resultant behavior.
8. Word of truth must be rightly divided: it cannot be changed, perverted, or compromised without receiving the judgment of God. The Galatians learned how serious this could be (Gal.1:6-9). Let us, like Timothy, profit from Paul’s parting words.

– Rick Duggin