‘Mid-Acts-ers’ focus on one verse about DIVIDING the word of truth. They claim to be the only ones dividing the Bible ‘rightly’. However, they disconnect the verse from its context where Paul taught about getting the resurrection when Jesus comes at the end of the world (Matt 24:3, 1 Cor 15:23,24), in the proper place (2 Tim 2:17-18). Thus ‘mid-Acts-ers’ MISUSE and WREST the verse to invent a paradigm that divides the church instead of encouraging unity among God’s saints:
2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
When Paul wrote ‘unto the church of God .... with ALL the saints’ (2 Cor 1:1), he instructed them to be partners that labor WITH each other:
2 Cor 6:1-10 1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
In the context of begging them not to waste God’s grace .... Paul quoted the OLD testament .... and brought it up-to-date. It was originally written by Isaiah (Isa 49:8) for Israel. But Paul applied the OLD testament verse to the NEW testament Corinthians:
2 Cor 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted,
and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee:
behold, now is the accepted time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Paul’s concern was for the sake of the gospel, that it be not mocked:
2 Cor 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
The Greek word [diakonos] is written 31 times, and translated ‘minister’ 20 times, ‘servant’ 8 times, and ‘deacon’ 3 times:
2 Cor 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers [diakonos] of God,
When we consider the list of things God’s servants are involved ‘IN’ (Greek word [en]), they don’t look appealing to our flesh:
in [en] much patience,
in [en] afflictions,
in [en] necessities,
in [en] distresses,
2 Cor 6:5 In [en] stripes,
in [en] imprisonments,
in [en] tumults,
in [en] labours,
in [en] watchings,
in [en] fastings;
Notice the list of things God’s servants are involved ‘BY’ [en] (which is the same Greek word [en] as was translated ‘IN’ that we just read):
2 Cor 6:6 By [en] pureness,
by [en] knowledge,
by [en] longsuffering,
by [en] kindness,
by [en] the Holy Ghost,
by [en] love unfeigned,
2 Cor 6:7 By [en] the word of truth,
by [en] the power of God,
God’s ministers must always be on guard. Though sometimes they are appreciated and other times they are maligned. (The Greek word, translated ‘BY’ in these next 3 issues, is changed to [dia]):
by [dia] the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
2 Cor 6:8 By [dia] honour and dishonour,
by [dia] evil report and good report:
From the outward appearance, those who serve the Lord are thought of in a bad way .... but they have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7) on the inside. Observe how they are known ‘AS’ (Greek word [hos]):
as [hos] deceivers, and yet true;
2 Cor 6:9 As [hos] unknown, and yet well known;
as [hos] dying, and, behold, we live;
as [hos] chastened, and not killed;
2 Cor 6:10 As [hos] sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing;
as [hos] poor, yet making many rich;
as [hos] having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Externally, no one would ‘apply for the job’ or ‘desire the office’ (1 Tim 3:1); but internally, knowing the outcome makes it all worthwhile. "Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Him." Peter consoled the saints who endure ill-will and tribulation until Jesus comes:
1 Peter 1:6-9 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
The prophet Isaiah described the inner result of God’s Spirit being poured out from on high:
Isa 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace;
and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Paul showed the word of truth as the good news of eternal life:
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
James explained that God’s children were brought forth by the word of truth:
James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,
that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Since Paul and James BOTH made it clear that hearing the word of truth produces salvation in those that believe it .... it would be fair to say that Paul did not have the corner on the word of truth. James taught it, too .... but ‘mid-Acts-ers’ don’t and won’t talk about that.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
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