2Ti 2:15 | RWP | e4.org | Give diligence ( σπουδασον ). First aorist active imperative of σπουδαζω , old word, as in ; . To present ( παραστησα ). First aorist active infinitive of παριστημ as in , . Approved unto God ( δοκιμον τω θεω ). Dative case θεω with δοκιμον , predicate accusative, old adjective (from δεχομα ), for which see ; . A workman ( εργατην ). See ; . That needeth not to be ashamed ( ανεπαισχυντον ). Late double compound verbal adjective ( α privative, επαισχυνω ), in Josephus and here alone. Handling aright ( ορθοτομουντα ). Present active participle of ορθοτομεω , late and rare compound ( ορθοτομος ), cutting straight, ορθος and τεμνω ), here only in N.T. It occurs in ; for making straight paths ( οδους ) with which compare and "the Way" in . Theodoret explains it to mean ploughing a straight furrow. Parry argues that the metaphor is the stone mason cutting the stones straight since τεμνω and ορθος are so used. Since Paul was a tent-maker and knew how to cut straight the rough camel-hair cloth, why not let that be the metaphor? Certainly plenty of exegesis is crooked enough (crazy-quilt patterns) to call for careful cutting to set it straight.

‏ 2 Timothy 2:15

Give diligence ( σπουδασον ). First aorist active imperative of σπουδαζω, old word, as in 1Th 2:17; Ga 2:10.

To present ( παραστησα ). First aorist active infinitive of παριστημ as in Col 1:22, 28.

Approved unto God ( δοκιμον τω θεω ). Dative case θεω with δοκιμον, predicate accusative, old adjective (from δεχομα ), for which see 1Co 11:19; 2Co 10:18.

A workman ( εργατην ). See 2Co 11:3; Php 3:2.

That needeth not to be ashamed ( ανεπαισχυντον ). Late double compound verbal adjective ( α privative, επαισχυνω ), in Josephus and here alone.

Handling aright ( ορθοτομουντα ). Present active participle of ορθοτομεω, late and rare compound ( ορθοτομος ), cutting straight, ορθος and τεμνω ), here only in N.T. It occurs in Pr 3:6; 11:5 for making straight paths ( οδους ) with which compare Heb 12:13 and "the Way" in Ac 9:2. Theodoret explains it to mean ploughing a straight furrow. Parry argues that the metaphor is the stone mason cutting the stones straight since τεμνω and ορθος are so used. Since Paul was a tent-maker and knew how to cut straight the rough camel-hair cloth, why not let that be the metaphor? Certainly plenty of exegesis is crooked enough (crazy-quilt patterns) to call for careful cutting to set it straight.