The Word is a Sword, named Truth
I recently talked to a fellow Christian who wanted answers to a few Bible questions. After answering several questions, I asked him what was he specifically looking to know. He said that he was studying the bible because he wanted to know more about God. His answer made me curious. I asked him, what did he plan to do with the additional knowledge of God. He looked at me perplexed and said, "I will live better, you know, more like a Christian". He then said that if he studied God's Word, he would make better choices plus he could explain the Christian life to others. He then said, in 2 Timothy 2:15, the scripture reads, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. I look at him and smiled at his enthusiasm. I then continued to answer his questions. After he had exhausted all of his questions, I asked if I could share something with him. He then told me he did not have time because of an impending card game and walked off. I smiled and went my way. As I walked away I thought about the passage he cited in 2 Timothy. This passage is well known and has rightfully become marching orders for saints to follow. However, many believers miss the greater truth in this passage. Let's explore it together.
But first, this is very important. The holy inspired scripture is very intentional with the words chosen throughout it's passages, therefore a "workman" who truly aspires to rightly divide the word, should always consider the original language to get closer to the inspired meaning. The Greek word for the phase rightly dividing is orthotomeō – which means to make straight and smooth, to handle aright. Therefore, "...rightly divide the word of truth", would read to teach the truth directly and correctly. That is pretty straightforward. However, its application is even more profound. Consider another scripture where the word dividing is used.
In Hebrews 4:12, the scripture reads, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. The Greek word for the phase dividing asunder is merismos which means a division, partition, distribution (of various kinds), a separation.
Hmm, why the separation? What are we being asked to separate? Let's take this in stages. The scriptures state that God's word is a sword that can divide soul and spirit. We know that soul and spirit make up 2 of the 3 parts of a human being; for we are BODY, SOUL & SPIRIT. Why do we need to divide our soul from our spirit?
The soul is the part of you that consists of your mind, character, thoughts, and feelings. This is where all of your acquired knowledge is captured and emotional baggage is stored. Take a moment and consider everything you have learned up until now; whether in school, in the streets, amongst friends, anywhere. Now think of the ups and downs of your life. The euphoric feelings and also the dark to very dark ones. The pleasure of love or the absence of it. All those memories are nestled in your soul. However, in contrast, a Christian has a reborn spirit of Christ within them. It's perfect; clean and holy. This is where the Holy Spirit resides. He is right there next to your soul.
From the time you accepted Christ, the Holy Spirit entered you and is trying to make a comfortable home inside of you. However, he is in a constant battle with your soul. He has to clear away all of the stored memories that are blocking you from living the life God wants for you. Therefore, we are not studying the word of God so we can make better choices for our lives. We study the word of God to feed our newborn spirit with the tools it needs to wash away all of the filthy baggage built up in our souls. This is a deliberative, ongoing process. That's why in Romans 12:2, the scripture tells us to "...be transformed by the renewing of your mind".
Now back to the main scripture. This is truly important for Christians to understand. We now know that the Spirit and soul are battling each other. But battling over what? Back to Hebrews 4:12, where the scripture reads "...and of the joints and marrow", This clearly describes parts of the physical body. A joint is the part of the body where two or more bones meet to allow movement. Marrow is a soft, fatty, vascular tissue in the interior cavities of bones that is a major site of blood cell production. It's the inmost or essential part of the bone. Why do we need the Word to separate joint and marrow?
Marrow is the nourisher and strengthener of the bones; it is said to moisten the bones. The joint is connected to the bone or members. We know healthy bones are strong, hard, and filled with vital marrow. Thus in order for God's word to divide the connective joint from marrow, it must cut the marrow away from the bone. Note, the scripture never says what to do with the remaining bones. We know that bone without marrow is not of any use. How is a person to function once the joints and marrow are cutaway? Hence, empty unmoistened bones are left. The book of Ezekiel has the answer. In Ezekiel, 37:5 the prophet proclaims to the valley full of dry (no marrow) bones, " This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life".
Thus, taken all the scriptures together we learn that we study God’s word to know how to allow our reborn spirit to take over our souls and give life to our bones (actions) so we can live more like Christ. That's it, nothing else, for now! We study God's word to give over our will to the reborn Spirit in us to live through us.
And don't worry about learning God's word to teach others; we just apply it to ourselves. The new way we live will carry a greater impact than anything we can say to someone. For in Matthew 5:16, we read, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and. glorify your Father which is in heaven".
Be encouraged,
Thomas Knowles, Minister of the Gospel of Christ Jesus
