April 18, 2020
The apostle Paul wrote to his young son in the ministry, Timothy,” Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).
The translation, “study to show thyself approved unto God” is found only in the 1611 King James Version. In 1611 the word study meant strive, or be diligent. Thus the New American Standard Bible translates the verse, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.” The New International Version renders the verse, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Based on the suggested translations above, it is clear that Paul was not advising Timothy to have good motives when studying the Scripures, but urging Timothy to be dilligent in his service to God so that he might become a workman that God could approve. Reminds me of the hymn which relays divine orders, “Hear the Master’s call, give Him your best, for be it great or small, that is His test!” By earnestly applying himself in service, Timothy would not need to be ashamed as he stood before God in the day of judgment. To be that diligent, approved workman, he would have to correctly handle the word of truth. He should study it, meditate upon it, and pray over it. He should bring an open mind, an open heart, and a faithful life to the word of truth.
The Apostle Paul considered himself the bond servant of Christ; we should think of ourselves in the same way. His advice to bond servants in Colossians 3 can apply to each of us. “Don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ” (Colossians 3:22ff MSG).
OUR BEST
Words, Salathiel C. Kirk
Music, Grant Colfax Tullar
1912
Hear ye the Master’s call, “Give Me thy best!”
For, be it great or small, that is His test.
Do then the best you can, not for reward,
Not for the praise of men, but for the Lord.
Chorus:
Every work for Jesus will be blest,
But He asks from everyone his best.
Our talents may be few, these may be small,
But unto Him is due our best, our all.
Wait not for men to laud, heed not their slight;
Winning the smile of God brings its delight!
Aiding the good and true ne’er goes unblest,
All that we think or do, be it the best.
Chorus
Night soon comes on apace, day hastens by;
Workman and work must face testing on high.
Oh, may we in that day find rest, sweet rest,
Which God has promised those who do their best.
Chorus
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Here’s a link to a choir singing this hymn:
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And here is only the music played on a piano:
This is an edited version of an earlier blog.