Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Timothy 2:15

"Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth." — 2 Timothy 2:15 (ASV)

In these two verses Paul challenges Timothy to be an approved workman. He is to “keep reminding” the believers of the things about which Paul has been writing. He is also to warn them before God against “quarreling about words” (GK 3362; see comment on 1 Timothy 6:4). Fighting over mere words is a waste of time; “it is of no value” and only brings ruin to the listeners. “Do your best” (GK 5079) refers to a person being zealous or eager. Timothy must put forth every effort to be a Christian minister approved by God. When his work is inspected by God, he will then have no reason to feel ashamed. “Who correctly handles” (GK 3982) suggests a plowman making a straight furrow in the soil. As Timothy teaches the Scriptures, he is to guide the word of truth along a straight path and not turn aside into the devious paths of deceiving interpretations.