Rightly Divide the Word of Truth

Nancy Paulson

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

When Paul wrote to Timothy he mentions a method in which one ought to study, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Webster's defines divide as: to separate into two or more parts, areas, or groups.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of Words says it is from the Greek word "orthotomeo" which means to cut straight (orthos, straight, temno, to cut); the meaning is passed from the idea of cutting or dividing, to the more general sense of rightly dealing with a thing. What is intended here is not dividing Scripture from Scripture, but teaching Scripture accurately.

We need to rightly divide the Word of truth according to the twofold plan and purpose of God:

• Prophecy - the nation of Israel
• Mystery - the Body of Christ

In order to rightly divide the Word of truth we need to make correct, acurate divisions in God's Word. This is important because God's Word records more that one program in God's overall outworking of His plan and purpose, prophecy and mystery. These programs are distinct and separate from one another.

The Apostle Paul tells us to rightly divide the Scripture based on a threefold time factor written in Ephesians.

(Ephesians 2:11-13 KJV) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; {12} That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: {13} But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

(Ephesians 2:7 KJV) That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Time Past

Time past is when God is dealing with Abraham and his seed, the nation of Israel. The Gentiles were without God in time past. Notice the state of the Gentiles in time past:

• without Christ
• aliens from the commonwealth of Israel
• strangers from the covenants of promise
• having no hope
• without God in the world

Notice the state of the Jews in times past:

(Romans 9:4-5 KJV) Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; {5} Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen

• Adoption
• The covenants and law
• The service of God
• The promises
• Whose are the fathers
• Of whom Christ came

It is during the time past the middle wall of partition, the Law, was keeping the Jew and Gentile separate. When the wall was up it kept the Gentile without God in the world. They had no hope (no confident expectation) that it would ever change.

We need to note that Paul also states that they were without Christ. This is significant because at what time would the Gentiles have been without Christ? It would have to be when Christ was on the earth. The Gentiles were without Christ during His earthly ministry.

(Romans 15:8 KJV) Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

Who was Jesus a minster to? He was a minister of the circumcision. Why? To confirm the promises made unto the fathers (this refers to the nation of Israel not the Body of Christ).

Everything that we find recorded in the four Gospel accounts refers to time past; a time when God is dealing with the nation of Israel and the Gentile nations are excluded.

But Now

In the timeframe, but now, we see a contrast to time past. One notices that a change has taken place.

(Ephesians 2:13-16 KJV) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. {14} For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; {15} Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; {16}And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Now refers to now, this present time. In verse 13 we see that a change of status has taken place. Now both Jew and Gentile are one, they are all on the same level. This is for the purpose of creating a new creation (one new man), which is the Body of Christ. Now reconciliation is taking place.We are no longer under the Law, but grace.

The program with Israel is put in abeyance. Israel has temporarily been set aside and God is now doing something that was not made known to men in past ages.

(Ephesians2:17 KJV) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Christ had come back unexpectedly and raised up the Apostle Paul.

(Ephesians 3:1 KJV) For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

Paul was called to give the dispensation of Grace to the Gentiles. This dispensation began when Jesus came back from heaven (calling of Paul) and will end the same way (rapture). The dispensation of grace has a beginning and an end. When it ends the program with Israel will resume (age to come).

Age to Come

(Romans 11:1 KJV) I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

(Romans 11:25-27 KJV) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. {26} And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: {27} For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

God has not cast away His people for good; we, today, are not spiritual Israel. The setting aside of Isreal is only temporary. When this dispensation of Grace is over God will resume and fulfill the program with Israel.

Romans 9, 10, and 11 tell what happened to Israel and what God is doing with Israel in the outworking of His plan and purpose.

In time past it was not known by the prophets that the program with Israel would be interupted and the dispensation of Grace (the making of one new man) would happen.

(Romans 11:11-12 KJV) I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. {12} Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

Today, we are not seeing Israel in her fulness. It is only when God has finished what He has planned for the body of Christ that He will resume what He had planned for Israel.

• Genesis through the early chapters of Acts - God is dealing with the nation of Israel.
• Romans through Philemon - God has set aside Israel and is making one new man, both Jew and Gentile form the Body of Christ.
• Hebrews through Revelation - pertains to the Age to Come which refers to the time when God resumes and fulfills His program with Israel.

We need to recognize all of God's Word rightly divided and His Word is laid out in the very order in which His plan and purpose is unfolding.