II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Tm:3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Tm:3:17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
"Rightly dividing the word of truth" is seeing differences in doctrines shown in the Bible and studying the Word of God understanding exactly where you are in the scriptures.
"All things to Israel were according to the fulfilling of prophecy."
(Act.3:20-25)
"All things to us now who are the Body of Christ are according to the revelation of a mystery."
(Rom.16:25, Eph.3:1-11)
"In Times Past"
Salvation toward mankind was through Israel who were given the law, and prophets (Gen.22:17-18, Act.3:25).
Justification was "by faith and works" (Exod.19:3-6, Matt.5:20).
The ministry of the twelve apostles was to the nation Israel (the circumcision) (Matt.10:5-7, Act.2:36-40).
The end of this period was the nation Israel's rejection of the apostle Paul's message (Act.28:23-28).
"Now At This Time"
The prophesied plan toward Israel was halted and now the hidden "mystery" program is in effect (Rom.16:25, Eph.3:1-12, Col.1:25-27)
Salvation is sent to the Gentiles, and now there is no favored nation (Eph.2:11-21, Col.3:11)
Justification is by "faith without deeds" (Rom.3:26-28, Gal.2:16,)
The doctrine of the letters Romans through Philemon is for this time.
The only way for Jew or Gentile to be saved is by grace through faith and not of works (1Cor.15:1-4, Rom.4:5, Eph.2:8-9, Tit.3:5).
The ministry given to the apostle Paul for us Gentiles (Rom.11:13, Eph.3:1-2).
The end of this dispensation of grace will be the catching up of the Body of Christ (Rom.5:9, 1Thes.1:10, 1Thes.4:16-17).
"The World To Come"
After the Body of Christ is "caught up" the "mystery dispensation" will be over, and the prophesied plan toward Israel will be started again with seven years of "great tribulation" (Jer.30:4-9, Ish.66:6-11, Rev.12:1-11).
Salvation to the nations will be through helping Israel (Matt.25:31-46).
Justification for that future time will be by faith and works (Heb.10:23-39, Jam.2:14-26, Rev.2:11,26-29, Rev.20:11-15)
The doctrine of Hebrews through Revelations is for that time to come.
The Thousand year reign of Christ with Israel on earth, the great white throne of Judgment, and ages to come (Rev. chap.19-21).
All the bible is for us to know;
Doctrine written directly to us is in the letters Romans thru Philemon
(the thirteen letters that Paul wrote).
Do not mix the doctrine that the Lord gave Paul for the body of Christ under grace, with doctrine given to Israel under the law (Rom.11:6).
Know where God is talking to you in bible, and whenever you study the scriptures filter everything you study through "rightly dividing the Word of truth". There are no contradictions in the bible. There are differences of doctrines. Honor the differences(to see my page on differences, "click here").
We who trust Jesus Christ are saved now at this time, "by grace through faith" (Ephesians.2:8,9).
So rightly dividing the Word of truth is to study the bible while considering:
what is said,
to whom it is said,
when it is said,
where it is said,
and why it is said.
Rightly divide doctrine to the Israel of God ... from doctrine to the Body of Christ (KJV Gal.2:7-9).
Rightly divide ... the deeds of the law ... from grace (KJV Rom.3:28, Eph.2:8,9).
Rightly divide ... justification by faith ... from justification through faith (KJV Rom.3:30).
Examples:
James, one of the 12 apostles says to the Israel of God (Jews and [proselytes] who had to have faith and works to get the earthly inheritance) ... (see also James 1:1)
Jas:2:17: Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas:2:21: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Paul apostle of the Gentiles says to the body of Christ (Jews and [Gentiles] saved by grace through faith unto a heavenly inheritance) .... (see also Rom.11:13)
Romans:4:2: For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Romans:4:3: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Romans:4:4: Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Romans:4:5: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Galatians:2:16: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Be aware of such differences, and the whole word of God will open up to you without confusion.
Remember, we are in the dispensation of grace (Eph.3:1-12) shown in the 13 letters that the apostle Paul wrote: Romans through Philemon.
In conclusion:
Rightly dividing the word of truth (2Tim.2:15) reveals to the believer the clarity of salvation by grace through faith without deeds as shown Pauline epistles (to see my page on salvation "click here"). The letters Paul wrote (Romans through Philemon) are the words of the Lord for the body of Christ today, and are not to be mixed up with doctrine elsewhere in the bible (Eph.3:1-11, Col.1:23-27). It would do one well to spend their time getting grounded and settled in those 13 doctrinal letters.
Co:15:3: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co:15:4: And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
