The Intense Life

61. The Intense Life

Paul Writes to Timothy (II Tim. 2:15), “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The word “study” has changed its meaning somewhat in the 300 years since the Authorized Version was made. Today the word refers to the mental effort put forth in an attempt to add to one’s store of knowledge and one’s ability to use that knowledge in an effective way. When we use the word “study,” we think of school, the class room, the teacher, and books. But the word is not so used here.

The following are some examples of its usage in the early centuries which should determine its translation today. “I wish to know that you are hurrying on the making of it.” “Make haste therefore and put our little slave Artemidorus under pledge.” “In accordance with the king’s desire.” “That he may … do his best until it is effected.” “Take care that Onnophris buys me what Irene’s mother told him.” The ideas of making haste, being eager, and giving diligence, with the added idea of effort put forth, are in the Greek usage of the word.

The context of this exhortation includes both Christian character and service. Timothy is exhorted to study to show himself approved to God in both respects. The exhortation is addressed to every Christian. The Christian life is a matter of reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive to God, of presenting our members as instruments of warfare to God. It is a life of dependence upon God, of allowing God the Holy Spirit to produce in and through us a Christlike life. The Christian life is a rest in God, a trust in Him to impart both the desire and the power to do His will (Phil. 2:13).

But there is another side to the living of a Christian life. It is not merely a rest in God, it is a constant battle on the part of the believer. Paul says, “Fight the good fight of faith” (I Tim. 6:12). There must be an eager, active, intense determination to live a life pleasing to God. We must not only yield to the Holy Spirit’s fullness, trusting Him to produce in us that love that God is, but we must definitely will to be loving and try to be loving. Intensity in the living of a Christian life is the total concept of this word translated “study.” The Greek word implies haste, desire, the doing of one’s best, the act of carefully attending to a duty. The living of a Christian life is an urgent matter. One must with intensity of desire will to live the highest type of Christian life. The Christian must do his best to live a life pleasing to his Lord. One must attend carefully to that matter. Thus, the word “study” has in it all of these meanings.

https://app.logos.com/books/LLS%3A46.50.6/references/wuest.17.118

 

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