𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗧: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗧: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

2 Timothy 2:15

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:

Many false doctrines arise not because people reject the Bible, but because they misinterpret the Bible.
They mix Israel’s program with the Church, law with grace, prophecy with mystery.

In this Dispensation of Grace, God commands us to study — not carelessly, but correctly. The key is context — understanding who is speaking, to whom they are speaking, what they are speaking about, and in what dispensation they are speaking.

Rightly dividing the Word is not dividing truth from error — but truth from truth, according to God’s dispensational dealings.

Let’s explore 7 principles of right Bible interpretation — all rooted in context and dispensational truth.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

2 Timothy 2:15 — “Rightly dividing the word of truth.”

A. Recognize the Dispensations — Ephesians 3:2

“If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God...”
God deals with mankind differently in different ages (Innocence, Law, Grace, Kingdom).

B. Recognize the Distinctions — 1 Corinthians 10:32

“Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.”
Always know who is being addressed.

C. Recognize the Division — Galatians 2:7

“The gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me…”
Paul’s message differs from Peter’s, both true but for different audiences.

Recognition of dispensations prevents confusion between Israel’s earthly promises and the Church’s heavenly calling.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

Ephesians 3:3 — “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery…”

A. The Mystery Revealed — Romans 16:25

“According to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.”

B. The Message Restated — Colossians 1:26–27

“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages… Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

C. The Meaning Realized — 1 Corinthians 2:7

“We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery…”

The Church, the Body of Christ, was a mystery revealed only to Paul. To interpret correctly, we must start from this Pauline revelation.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣

2 Timothy 2:7 — “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.”

A. Relationship to the Audience — Matthew 15:24

“I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

B. Relationship to the Author — Galatians 1:11–12

Paul received the gospel by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.

C. Relationship to the Age — Hebrews 1:1–2

“God... spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.”

Scripture must be read in relationship to the intended people and time — not all Scripture is written to us, though all is written for us.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡

2 Timothy 2:15 — “Rightly dividing the word of truth.”

A. Divide Law from Grace — John 1:17

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

B. Divide Prophecy from Mystery — Acts 3:21 vs. Romans 16:25

Peter spoke of what was “spoken since the world began.”
Paul preached what was “kept secret since the world began.”

C. Divide Israel from the Church — Romans 11:25

Israel is temporarily blinded until the fullness of the Gentiles come in.

To rightly divide is to interpret Scripture according to God’s progressive revelation and distinct programs.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘

Romans 15:4 — “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.”

A. The Historical Reference — Understand what it meant then.

Luke 24:27 — “Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them...”

B. The Doctrinal Reference — Apply what is doctrinally true for now.

1 Corinthians 14:37 — “The things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”

C. The Spiritual Reference — Apply what is practically beneficial.

2 Timothy 3:16 — “All Scripture is profitable...”

The Bible must be read in its historical, doctrinal, and spiritual contexts — but doctrinal truth for today comes from Paul’s epistles.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚

Isaiah 1:18 — “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.”

A. The Logic of Scripture — 1 Corinthians 14:33

“God is not the author of confusion.”
Interpret with clarity and consistency.

B. The Literal Sense of Scripture — Luke 24:45

“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures.”
Always interpret literally unless context clearly says otherwise.

C. The Leading of the Spirit — 1 Corinthians 2:13

“Comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
Use Scripture to interpret Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit.

Reasoning grounded in literal interpretation guards against allegorical confusion and theological chaos.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 — “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ... Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

A. Responsibility to Study — 2 Timothy 2:15

Study diligently, not emotionally.

B. Responsibility to Stand — Titus 1:9

“Holding fast the faithful word...”

C. Responsibility to Share — 2 Timothy 4:2

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season.”

The Church today has the sacred duty to guard and share the rightly divided Gospel of Grace, unmixed with law or prophecy.

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡:

In every generation, God has given light — but only those who study in context walk in that light.
Misinterpretation leads to confusion, but right division leads to clarity, conviction, and confidence.

The Bible is one book, but not one message to all men at all times. God’s dealings change — His truth does not.

If we rightly divide the Word, we will understand His program, preach His purpose, and preserve His truth until He comes.

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:

STUDY DILIGENTLY — Don’t depend on tradition; depend on Scripture. (Acts 17:11)
SEPARATE DISPENSATIONS — Don’t mix Israel’s promises with the Body’s position. (Ephesians 3:9)
SPEAK BOLDLY — Preach the mystery revealed to Paul. (Romans 16:25–26)

𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:

Without context, there is confusion.
Without division, there is deception.
Without study, there is shame.
With revelation, there is illumination.
With right division, there is clarification.
With understanding, there is transformation.
With faithfulness, there is commendation — “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

“𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 — 𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵.”