As you know, if you are one of the tens of readers who stop by The Battle Cry, I’ve been having a few interesting conversations of late with a few folks who preach and teach a theological system called “Mid-Acts Dispensationalism”. Sometimes that title is appended with “Rightly Divided” or “Rightly Dividing”. Such great emphasis is placed on “rightly dividing” the word of truth, I decided to study 2 Timothy 2:15 for myself. Here is the passage again, emphasizing two words in the verse, “study” and “rightly dividing”.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV,)

It’s presented in the KJV, or KJB (as MAD folks are fond of calling it) because according to MAD, the 1611 King James Bible is the ONLY translation of the Bible we English speaking folks should be using (And that’s another topic altogether!).

First I consulted both Strong’s and Thayer definitions for both words, in multiple translations, as shown below:

Study (KJV, NKJV)

The Battle Cry

Strong’s G3718

ὀρθοτομέω

orthotomeō

From a compound of G3717 and the base of G5114; to make a straight cut, that is, (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message): – rightly divide.

Thayer G3718

ὀρθοτομέω

orthotomeō

Thayer Definition:

1) to cut straight, to cut straight ways

    1a) to proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course, equiv. to doing right

2) to make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly

Part of Speech: verb

Other Translations: Be diligent (NKJV, NASB, HCSB), Do your Best (ESV, RSV)

Part of Speech: verb

Other Translations: Be diligent (NKJV, NASB, HCSB), Do your Best (ESV, RSV)

As you can see from the Strong’s and Thayer listings, the word “study” includes the attitude with which we should be “hitting the books”; as if we are presenting ourselves to God as laborers worthy of our hiring. Also, as noted above, the word “study” has been translated using other words in other translations that are completely in line with Strong’s and Thayer Greek definitions.

Rightly Divide (KJV, NKJV)

Strong’s G3718

ὀρθοτομέω

orthotomeō

From a compound of G3717 and the base of G5114; to make a straight cut, that is, (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message): – rightly divide.

Thayer G3718

ὀρθοτομέω

orthotomeō

Thayer Definition:

1) to cut straight, to cut straight ways

1a) to proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course, equiv. to doing right

2) to make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly

Part of Speech: verb

Other Translations: rightly handling (ESV, RSV), accurately handling (NASB), rightly handling (RSV), correctly handling (NIV)

The same goes for “rightly divide”, which literally means “to cut straight” (not like the pizza place), along with “rightly/accurate/correctly handling” God’s word, as well as teach it. All of the terms shown for “rightly dividing” are completely in line with Strong’s and Thayer Greek definitions.

The MAD folks I referred to earlier have verse-by-verse studies available online, complete with detailed outline for their teachings. I won’t provide the entire outline for our Timothy passage, but I will mention a couple of things.

For the word “study” they tell us that in newer translations “study” has been “Replaced with “do your best” “be diligent to present yourself” “make an effort” “work hard” “do all you can” which puts focus on deeds w/o word (any emphasis on words – I listened to the MP3).”

For the term “rightly dividing” they tell us that it’s been used as “A catchword for too many – Baptists, evangelicals, reformed, Catholic, JWs, heretics.); that “Rightly” is better than correctly/skillfully because it turns upright what was subverted in v. 2:14); and that “dividing” speaks to “dissecting parts & purpose”, or HOW to cut, or dividing/cutting up the text of the Bible itself into the proper dispensations.

Just a note here. I learned from another MAD lesson that although Paul didn’t specifically divide/cut the text of Scripture, other men, beginning in the 19th century, who studied the Bible actually “drew the dispensational lines” where Paul meant them to be. They make that claim while also claiming that they use ONLY the KJB as their authority, and that they do NOT follow the teachings of anyone other than Paul.

So What?!!!!

WHY did I just tell you all of that? I wrote this blog post (over the last day and a half) for two reasons:

1. To try and understand why Mid-Acts Dispensationalists believe what they believe and fiercely teach. Writing things down helps me with that.

2. More importantly, to suggest to you that the modus operandi of the MAD folks is strikingly similar to just about every other unorthodox/aberrant teaching or false teacher in the Christian church. They take whatever teaching or doctrine they want you to believe and force it into the text of Scripture. Sadly, there are those who swallow the poison hook, line and sinker!

So how do you NOT take the bait? Read and study the Bible for yourself. When you really know your Bible, when you come across something that seems off, investigate.

Above all, Be Blessed!