Note: The following reflections are excerpted from Andreas J. Köstenberger, “1–2 Timothy, Titus,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 12: Ephesians ~ Philemon (rev. ed.; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006), pp. 580–81.
In contrast to the false teachers, Timothy must make every effort (spoudazō, cf. 2 Tim 4:9, 21; Titus 3:12; Gal 2:10; 1 Thess 2:17; Eph 4:3) to present himself (paristēmi—an allusion to OT ritual? cf. Rom 6:13; 12:1; see also 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:27; Col 1:22, 28) to God as one tested and approved (dokimos; cf. Rom 14:18; 16:10; 1 Cor 11:19; 2 Cor 10:18; 13:7; the opposite adokimos in 2 Tim 3:8; Titus 1:16; cf. 1 Cor 9:27). The heretics twist the Scriptures to fit their own theology; Timothy ought to model a proper use of God’s word. Paul employs three further images. The first is that of a workman (ergatēs; cf. Matt 9:37–38 par.; 1 Tim 5:19 cf. Luke 10:7) who has no need to be ashamed (anepaischyntos; cf. Josephus, Ant. 18.243) but correctly handles the “word of truth,” that is, the apostolic (Pauline) exposition of the saving message of the gospel.
Paul previously told Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel (e.g., 2 Tim 1:8). Here shame is a result (ultimately at God’s judgment, 1 John 2:28), not of fear of being identified with Christ, but of lack of proper training and skill in handling God’s word. Analogously, there may be those today who are willing to identify openly with Christ and preach his word, but who owing to inadequate training fail to handle God’s word properly and thus ought to be ashamed. Those people need not more courage or commitment but proper training in understanding and communicating the scriptural message (cf. 2 Tim 3:16–17). Just as a workman takes pride in a job well done, proper preaching of God’s word requires training and skill.
The expression “handle correctly” (orthotomeō) conveys the notion of “cutting straight” (as opposed to crooked) with possible reference to the cutting of a road to make a straight path (cf. Prov 3:6; 11:5 LXX; most Fathers interpret the term as plowing). In an age where Roman roads were masterful examples of skilled engineering, this metaphor would have communicated well. Whatever the setting, the point here is that a workman’s job must be performed with skill. There is no room for incompetence or shortcuts, and an untrained workman may do more harm than good. Jesus noted that “everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Paul was “thoroughly trained” under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), and Jesus’ disciples were recognized as having “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). The key is to handle God’s word in keeping with its intended purpose and to communicate its meaning properly (cf. 2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2; contrast Acts 13:10).
As a properly trained workman, Timothy must not only stay on the straight path himself but also ensure that those under his care likewise are shown the paths of God’s truth. There is no substitute for thorough training in the Scriptures, even in a day where modern technology has made learning the biblical languages easier and where the internet has opened new avenues of theological education. Moreover, the primary subject of training for the Christian minister must be “the word of truth” (i.e., the word that is true, an epexegetic genitive), not various derivative subjects. In Timothy’s case, his training had come largely as a result of his long-term association with Paul in ministry (2 Tim 3:10–11; cf. Acts 16:1–5). If ministerial training today is to be effective, there must be similar mentoring or internship opportunities for young aspiring pastors and Christian workers. Conversely, cults regularly distort the teaching of the Scriptures, with disastrous results for their members and converts.
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Andreas,
You are right to mention the Roman roads but the word dates back to military campaigns recorded in Thucydides and Herodotus. In translations of these texts, orthotomeo is sometimes interpreted as actually building a road, and sometimes interpreted as cutting directly across country through the woods without a road. In any case, it is a direct route. I prefer to think of it as building a road, since the approved, the qualifed and recognized workman, is mentioned in Timothy.
I have written extensively on orthotomeo and so much appreciate Bruce Waltke’s additional comments, that Proverbs 3:6 refers to making the path smooth. Many other verses and the LXX reflect this quality, that the word will make a smooth path ‘and thou shalt not dash thy foot.’ How important this is and it is part of the Lev. 19 commands to not put a stumbling block in front of the blind.
Timothy is exorted to make a straight and level path so others will not stumble.
Conversely, we may also think of making a highway for our God, of clearing the way for the Lord and declaring His name. This is one of the truly overlooked great metaphors in the NT.
I would add to your recommendation that there is no substitute for thorough training in the scriptures, that there is no substitute for a classical and intense training in the Biblical languages, living the language of the classical and Hellenistic world. Even better if a few people can do this before they have their theology decided in their head. I trained in classical and then Hellenistic Greek and Hebrew and finally came to study the New Testmanent as an adult. Few people have gone this route and always I find that I come from the original languages into the English rather than the other way around.
On a lighter note, I believe that Tyndale got his idea of ‘rightly dividing the word of truth’ from Luther’s translation, teilen, to share out the word, to divide it in order to have others partake. What do you think?
I grew up with the absurd dispensationalist teaching on this word orthotomeo, but could only have a twinkle in my eye, since as a woman I was never able to talk about Biblical teaching in public.
Remember also that as Paul sat at the feet of Gamaliel, so Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and learned of Him.
[...] What about ‘rightly dividing the word of truth’? Is this really a reference to grammatical parsing? I think that N.T. Wright’s reading in his For Everyone commentary is an example of a more likely reading (and one that he is certainly not alone in arguing for), although I believe that he is stretching it if he believes that Paul had the illustration that he uses in mind: In particular, he wants preachers and teachers to ‘carve out a straight path for the word of truth’. Some translations say things like ‘rightly dividing the word’, and it’s possible Paul means something like that (in other words, ‘being able to show how the sentences work, what each part means, and how they all relate to each other’). But it’s more likely that the picture he has in mind is of a pioneer hacking out a path through the jungle so that people can walk safely through. Part of the job of the teacher is to do what Paul himself is doing in this passage: to see where there are brambles, creepers and dead trees blocking the path where the word should be following to people’s hearts and minds, and to shift them out of the way. [...]