Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Study, х Spoudason (G4704)] - 'Be earnest.'
To show, х parasteesai (G3936)] - 'present,' as in Romans 12:1.
Thyself - as distinguished from those whom Timothy was to charge (2 Timothy 2:14).
Approved - tested by trial х dokimon (G1384)]: opposed to "reprobate" х adokimon (G96): one who cannot stand the test] (Titus 1:16).
Workman - alluding to Matthew 20:1, etc.: implying the laboriousness of the office (2 Timothy 4:5).
Not to be ashamed - by his work, not being "approved" (Philippians 1:20). Contrast "deceitful workers," 2 Corinthians 11:13.
Rightly dividing, х orthotomounta (G3718)] - 'rightly handling' (Vulgate). literally, cutting straight,' as a road or furrow (Theodoret). Or, as a steward (1 Corinthians 4:1) cutting and distributing bread among a household (Vitringa) (Luke 12:42). But the "rightly" suits better the former image. Septuagint, Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 11:5, use it of 'making one's way:' so here, "the word of truth" is a road to be laid out straightly: Timothy must not deviate from this right line to the one side or other (Isaiah 30:21; Isaiah 40:3); 'teaching no other doctrine' (1 Timothy 1:3). The same image appears in "increase" (note, 2 Timothy 2:16). The opposite is 2 Corinthians 2:17, "corrupt the Word of God."
Truth - Greek, 'the truth' (cf. 2 Timothy 2:18).