2 Timothy 2:15 Unashamed Workman

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

A little further on in 2 Timothy 2, in verse 15, Paul gives Timothy another picture that helps describe the nature of the work of the pastor. This time Paul thinks of a workman and one who does not need to be ashamed of his work because he does it conscientiously. In particular he is a man who correctly handles the word of truth. The word Paul uses is only found here and was used to refer to cutting something straight. Workmen are often required to make a straight cut. Think of a carpenter sawing a piece of wood or a carpet layer cutting a piece of carpet. If the line is crooked there will be a problem. In a similar way, when a preacher seeks to explain the Word he has to do it accurately or he is going to lead people astray. The concern of the minister will not be simply to get it right, he will be doing his best to present himself to God as one approved. He wants the approval not so much of men but of the Master craftsman who taught him all he knows.