The apostle Paul instructed the young preacher Timothy to "study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the truth" (II Timothy 2:15). The words "rightly dividing come from the Greek orthotomeo which means literally "to cut straight" (Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, page 328). Vine explains "the meaning passed from the idea of cutting or dividing, to a more general sense of rightly dealing with a thing" (page 328). This is the idea presented in the A.S.V. translation of II Timothy 2:15 which reads "handling aright." It is as important for God’s children to "handle aright" the teachings of Scripture today as it was for Timothy in his time.
One requirement to meet Paul’s instruction is hard work. The word translated "study" is the Greek spoudazo which "signifies to hasten to do a thing, exert oneself, endeavor, give diligence" (Vines, page 313). Diligence is defined as "constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind" (New American College Dictionary, page 339). Effective Bible study then requires regular effort on our part. If we approach Bible study in a "hit or miss" fashion, we will likely not arrive at the desired goal set out for us by Paul. We need to establish habits for Bible study which gives us sufficient time to read and meditate upon the word of God.
A second requirement is to avoid "majoring in minors." A great deal of time is wasted by people in studying things of no real value. For example volumes have been written and hours spent speaking about why Nicodemus came to Jesus by night (John 3:1,2). The reasons offered range from fear of detection by his fellow Pharisees to his work involving a demanding day job leaving only the evenings free to see Jesus. Once the case is made and one decides on "the reason" for Nicodemus’ evening visit one question remains, "So what?" In studying John 3 the reason for the evening visit is not even hinted at. Probably because it has no bearing on what the Holy Spirit wants us to learn from the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus.
Requirement three involves the overall teaching of the Bible. God is not the author of confusion therefore the Bible is not going to contradict itself. In studying any passage we must consider the immediate context of the passage. Who is speaking, who is addressed, what are the circumstances which brought about the passage? Next consider the general purpose of the section of the book the passage is in, then the overall purpose of the book, then the Bible’s overall teaching in general on the subject. If we do these things we will all be equipped to "study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman the needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Denny