Rightly Dividing The Word.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, fo correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Timothy 3:16-17 KJV

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV.

The whole Bible is written TO US. But not all of it is FOR US.
One of the most important things you could ever learn in your study of the Bible is that All scripture is FOR US. But not all scripture is ABOUT US.

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: Isaiah 28:9-10 KJV

For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable]. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 AMP).

The Greek word translated as “rightly dividing” is Orthotomounta—ortho means “right or proper,” and Tomounta means “to cut.” Literally, success in handling the Word is to cut it properly or correctly. When we are diligent to “cut straight”—to rightly divide the Word of truth—we can understand what He has communicated in His Word.

It is important to distinguish between Paul’s letters and the others. Why? Because Peter, James, John and Jude were apostles to the CIRCUMCISED, meaning the Jewish people, although it is believed that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews.  It should be  obvious, by the very name of the book, that it is written TO THE HEBREWS, meaning the Jews, and not TO the non-Jewish Church. ALL of Paul’s letters, on the other hand, were written TO ALL BELIEVERS, both Jewish and non-Jewish, except Hebrews of course.

The Council of Jerusalem was held after the conversion of Gentiles at the home of the Roman Centurion, Cornelius.  At this meeting, they discussed the issue of whether or not the Gentiles needed to obey the Law to be acceptable to God.  Their conclusion was that, since Jesus fulfilled the Law, NO ONE, NEITHER GENTILE OR JEW, IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW.  This issue was supposed to be settled way back in the 1st century!  

Sadly, it has reared it’s ugly head again in these last days, just like in Galatia. Paul’s entire letter to that Church was written to address this issue.  Looks like man really hasn’t changed in 2,000 years. He still wants to think there’s something he can “DO” to inherit salvation. When you read Hebrews and see things like, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…” it is not written TO you, Church.  The writer is addressing Jewish people, the “Almosts” who turned their back on Jesus. They had NOT accepted Him as their Savior.  But the worst part is, they went back to the animal sacrifices of the temple.  This is trampling the blood of Jesus underfoot, considering it of lesser value that the blood of bulls and goats!