2 Timothy 2:15, commentary and pictures

Paul's charge to his youthful son in the gospel is to be preserved and passed on through faithful men who can teach others also. To study is to give constant earnest application to the whole work and its sacred responsibility as Christ's ambassador, far more than gathering a few texts for a sermon. Approval is measured by God's standard through humble persevering faith, not by human praise whose judgment may be wrong, and it makes a skilled diligent worker whose thorough labor can stand His inspection. Rightly handling truth means giving each one a fitting portion in due season, presenting pure truth simply without error or human mixing, and giving the whole counsel plainly one point at a time so the weakest can understand. This charge belongs to every believer young and old, calling for daily diligent study with wrestling prayer, a pure humble godly life, and gentle patient teaching that wins souls to Christ.

Setting and Key Terms

The charge was given by Paul under the Holy Spirit to Timothy, his youthful and faithful son in the gospel. It was to be learned from experienced men appointed by God, heard directly, faithfully preserved, and then entrusted to faithful men able to teach others also and impart the principles of truth. It belongs to gospel ministers and calls them to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus and to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. It calls workers in God's cause to improve to the utmost the talents committed to them, so that the practical teaching of God's word has a positive bearing on their lives.

Study means far more than gathering a few Bible texts to make a sermon. It requires constant, earnest, close application to the whole ministry and its sacred responsibility, with concern for the outcome of labor as Christ's ambassador. Preaching a sermon does not complete duty, and shortcomings come not from God's unfaithfulness but from failing to study with persevering effort and humble, constant faith.

To be approved unto God is to be measured by God's standard with His help, and to examine whether the work will stand that test. It is to seek God's approval rather than human praise, with elevated desire and determined purpose to please Him who gives life and every good thing. Human judgment may be wrong and controlled by natural feeling, and stands against coveting the praise of pleasure-lovers who are enemies of God. God gives grace and strength for this great labor and burden of caring for His flock, including power as Jesus received to endure patiently what appears unjust, perplexing, irritating, and suspicious without discouragement, restiveness, or impatience, glorifying God by continually looking to Jesus.

The workman that needeth not to be ashamed is a skilled, diligent, capable worker whose labor is thorough, faithful, and able to stand God's inspection. Such study and preparation give powerful influence for good and evidence that God is with the worker, taking on no more responsibility than can be done properly so the work can withstand careful criticism. Winning souls requires this training and careful study, including knowledge of human nature, thoughtful judgment, and earnest prayer to know how to approach people about eternal welfare.

The verse stands within the whole instruction of 2 Timothy 2. It is joined to strength in Christ's grace, faithfully teaching others, enduring hardship as a good soldier, and refusing entanglement with the affairs of this life in order to please Him who chose the soldier. It belongs with a life of purity, faith, love, and peace, with fleeing youthful desires and pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace. It requires gentle, patient teaching without quarreling or striving, being apt to teach, avoiding foolish and unlearned questions that gender strife, and in meekness instructing opposers so God may give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth and recovery out of the snare of the devil. When a special effort to proclaim truth is made, this instruction must be impressed on the heart and brought into practical life by every church member drawing near to God, searching the heart, confessing sin, sustaining the work by means and harmony, attending armed for service, and praying and working for the lost.

Diligent Personal Study

Approval requires diligent, industrious, persevering personal study of the Word day by day, drinking deeply at the fountain of truth in golden moments with close application of mind, careful thought, prayerful meditation, spirituality and true heart holiness. This means weighing every thought and comparing Scripture with Scripture, economizing moments, rising early, using what other minds have dug out, and learning for oneself the reasons of hope, so that with divine help personal convictions are formed because each must answer to God. Such careful, critical study develops strength and wisdom for service where laborers are greatly needed, brings light into practical life, and refuses to idle precious time on unimportant things while neglecting things of great importance. The thorough workman becomes familiar with the Scriptures and Bible arguments and the strong points of truth, thoroughly furnished unto all good works, able to instruct others, make truth triumph, and meet opponents and silence opposition by presenting the reasons of faith. Indolence, love of ease, spiritual sloth, self-gratification and self-love, repeating prepared thoughts of others without effort, and refusal of close taxation in study keep a man from becoming an able preacher of righteousness, displease God, waste accountable moments, leave the minister ignorant except on a few dwelt-upon subjects, disappoint the people who expect intelligence from a teacher, and let the people advance beyond him until his efforts prove fruitless and he himself needs to be taught more perfectly.

Study must be deep and not superficial, with clear understanding and definite reasons for faith, training and disciplining the human faculties to wrestle with hard problems in search of divine truth rather than stopping with surface knowledge. Without that thorough preparation a person is confused and ashamed, unable to explain the Scriptures clearly, whether or not engaged in public preaching. This preparation is needed because believers may be called to witness and answer for faith before courts, rulers, or learned people. It requires simplicity instead of formality, humility instead of vanity, greater spiritual knowledge, and grasping and loving great and important truths until they are incorporated into life as a living reality, with Christ as Educator beside the learner to mold the mind, instill His principles, and teach that talents are entrusted for upbuilding His kingdom, lest ministers remain half-trained with untrained intellect and frivolous lives and fail to represent sublime closing truths as an overflowing fountain that must be spoken and written.

Study is joined with earnest, wrestling prayer, watchfulness, and seeking wisdom from God through the Holy Spirit, and by this the minister becomes a worker without shame who handles truth rightly and carries out ministry effectively. This prayerful investigation gives knowledge and skill to present teaching confidently and to defend the gospel effectively. Earnest, prayerful study must include clear understanding of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment and of the position and work of Christ as sin-bearer, High Priest, surety and substitute, which personal knowledge is necessary for the faith required at this time and for fulfilling the appointed position.

Diligent handling of truth shuns profane and vain babblings and empty talk that increase ungodliness, strife about words to no profit that subverts hearers, foolish and unlearned questions, caviling over plain statements, and speculation about unimportant or unrevealed matters. Ministers and people must practice truth and be changed by it rather than be diverted into caviling and strife, and must depart from iniquity while teaching opposers with patience, humility and gentleness so they may come to repentance and escape the devil's snare. The messenger of the last message must seek approval from God by diligent study and correct handling rather than by trying to be clever or popular, holding forth the Word of Life in daily yoking with Christ, lifting His burdens and learning from Him day by day as laborers together with God, without which daily connection one is unfit for ministry.

The worker must study truths God has revealed and present them as sound spiritual food for the church, rather than dwelling on speculative, unprofitable ideas, human inventions, or prying into matters not plainly revealed. Right handling gives God's flock spiritual nourishment and joins study with watchful, prayerful, useful work. Bible study gives strength, expands the mind, teaches what God approves and rejects, and leads to knowing God and one's relation to Christ. It means searching the Word for oneself to determine duty instead of looking to the example, customs and traditions of the fathers, for clinging to what the fathers received and refusing additional light because they did not have it forfeits approval, present position and responsibility are greater now, and accountability covers both inherited light and additional light now shining.

Study includes cultivating the intellect and storing the mind with useful knowledge, leaving controversy and nonessentials to build for God's glory and qualifying in all branches of the work and not merely one. Those who preach must keep gaining knowledge in connection with labor, first learning simple rules of reading properly, writing well, keeping accounts correctly and practical business, then bending the mind to further acquisition branch after branch while engaged in preaching. This requires wisely employing time every day in useful employment that fits for a high standard, refusing to throw away golden moments in unimportant conversation, indolence and things of little consequence, and refusing trivial reading such as novels and story magazines that fill the mind with trivial thoughts and consume needed time, energy and self-discipline. Diligent, prayerful study of God's Word provides the practical light and knowledge needed for service and saving souls, which requires earnest scholastic labor for time and eternity but not mastery of every science or language never to be used nor a protracted classical course that has disqualified many for essential labor.

Rightly Dividing Truth

Rightly dividing the word of truth means giving each household its portion of spiritual food in due season to meet the wants of many and varied minds. It requires discerning the fitting subject for the occasion and knowing what to teach at the time of need, rather than engaging in unsuitable contests, and it is gained through varied experience in extended labor in new fields and different localities among all classes and varieties of minds, which drives the worker to God and the Bible for light, strength, and knowledge until fully qualified, instead of becoming dwarfed and narrowed by confinement to one locality or letting temporal cares and serving tables engross mind and time. It presents teachings in a way suited to what people are ready to understand, by explaining truths they already know and value and showing how they relate to truths they do not yet understand, thereby awakening desire for greater light. It is done by voice and pen in cooperation with Christ with all physical, mental, and spiritual powers, keeping connection with God as the source of strength and having Christ formed within as the hope of glory, and it includes doctrines, promises, precepts, warnings, examples, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, taught and applied to the needs of the people through organized plans of labor that educate and equip others to serve.

Right division gives every Scripture its true and timely application, for all Scripture is true yet misapplied Scripture leads to wrong conclusions. Wrong division takes truth applicable to its own time and places it in the future, and takes events in the train of prophecy already fulfilled in the past and makes them future, and by these theories the faith of some is undermined in a mighty conflict that becomes more close and determined near the final struggle, where a sleepless adversary constantly works on human minds that have not had personal experience in the teachings given for the last fifty years. The same care and great discrimination requires bringing kindred truths in with the Sabbath in their right order and time, with the Sabbath question and other important points first and rebaptism afterward only when souls have taken their position upon the truth, planted their feet upon eternal truth, become accustomed to their new position, and are fully converted. It forbids placing rebaptism in front and making it of as much importance as the Sabbath, hurrying new believers, becoming a conscience for another, and urging and pressing rebaptism by human effort with controversy and contention, for the duty of urging belongs to God alone, working by His Holy Spirit upon minds and hearts in tenderness and love until the individual is perfectly convinced and satisfied.

Right handling presents pure Bible truth in its simplicity as Christ gave it, for teaching, correction, and instruction in righteousness, without mixing it with error, confusing fanatical displays, human theories, or stretched interpretations that lose its force. It separates truth from error as carefully winnowed food is separated from chaff, and mishandling by mixing error confuses believers, harms the cause of Christ, and causes it to be rejected. It takes heed to a Thus saith the Lord to know what is truth, shuns profane and vain babblings because they increase to more ungodliness, and refuses to cavil over plain statements, misinterpret and wrest the Scriptures from their true meaning to harmonize disobedience such as transgressing the holy Sabbath. It keeps a pure line of study before teachers as well as scholars as in the schools of the prophets, and forbids placing in students' hands books that contain some truth intermingled with vain babblings, for they are seed sown in the heart that in time of temptation will spring into life and lead minds away from God and away from truth into ungodliness.

Faithful presentation gives the whole counsel of God without keeping back any part, so people know their duty and the will of God concerning them and do not stumble and fall into perdition. Yet it takes one point at a time and makes that one point plain in slow, distinct, short, plain, connected, firm speech, showing its relation to other truths of vital importance, explaining with concise, distinct points rather than pouring out a mass of new and hard matter or rambling through the Bible in long, dull, imperfect discourses, so that the weakest and most unlearned can comprehend, points are fastened in minds, and interest is kept alive. It presents truth intelligently in simple language, including the origin of evil and its results and the redemption of the fallen race made possible through Christ giving His own life, which brings Christ and immortality to light, so that no humble, sincere seeker ever seeks in vain, and forgetting this leaves minds open for Satan to confuse them and counterwork the work of God. It is the work of a teacher who is also a learner daily sitting at the feet of Jesus and earnestly seeking wisdom from on high to understand the Scriptures, hiding self in Christ and revealing Christ and not self, putting the freshest energies and soul into the work especially before those not in the faith, refusing to preach when tired and exhausted because speaking with a wearied mind injures the truth, with the Holy Spirit attending the spoken word and bringing it to the heart so seekers receive it as hidden treasure without prejudice.

The approved handler guards the Word as a precious trust received through the Holy Spirit and an important gift in keeping, to be kept and passed on accurately and faithfully to equip faithful people who can teach others also. Handling fairly and rightly dividing is done with a Christlike, courteous spirit, for training oneself as a debater and presenting Bible truth in a debating style does not meet God's approval, stirs a combative, defiant, hard, critical spirit, does harm with little good result, unfits men to be pastors of the sheep and lambs, and leads them to wrest the Scriptures to make their point. Rightly dividing is the work of the Spirit of God to every hearer, making the preaching of Christ's commandments search the heart. It calls each soul to inquire whether service is really the result of close connection with God and communion with Him in heavenly places, and whether testimony and teaching is the outflow of a heart deeply impressed by what has been heard and seen and looked upon and handled of the Word of life.

Faithful Teaching Ministry

Winning souls demands training and careful preparation, for approval requires diligent effort to become a skilled handler of truth, with knowledge of human nature, thoughtful judgment and earnest prayer to know how to approach people on matters of eternal welfare. That preparation is far more than love of preaching and sermonizing, including earnest prayer, study of Christ's life, understanding of responsibility to others, and learning by practice the trade of personal labor. It calls for education in wise planning and the best methods of reaching others, since every soul is cared for, with surrender that lets divine power work with human effort through strong arguments from the Word rather than unfair criticism or ridicule.

The work is not preaching alone but loving, faithful, confident service day by day in practical ministry and earnest godly labor. Outside the pulpit this means visiting people, praying with them, opening the Scriptures house to house, and giving full proof of ministry. It requires gaining thorough knowledge of Scripture, growing in truth, coming close to people by personal effort, following up work begun and binding it off securely with definite results, since labor among constantly changing congregations without follow-up leaves the worker negligent and deficient in the experience of an able minister. It also requires organized plans that teach and apply Scripture to varied needs with doctrines, promises, precepts, warnings, examples, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness, educating and equipping others to serve.

The manner of presenting truth often decides its acceptance or rejection, so all laboring in reform must study to become efficient and accomplish the greatest possible good without detracting from its force by personal deficiencies. Saving truth must therefore be set forth clearly and prominently with Christ at the center, not buried under excess words, distractions, display, or clever oratory aimed at popularity, but in solemn, earnest, tender teaching from a well-ordered life empowered by the Holy Spirit. Teaching must avoid foolish disputes and strife about words, being gentle to all, apt to teach, patient in meekness when instructing opposers, refusing to strive, that they may come to repentance and escape the devil's snare. Such a worker presents truth as it is in Jesus with zeal strengthened by grace, speaking personally yet without rashness or discourtesy even under provocation, and handles Scripture faithfully and effectively especially against the errors of false teachers through earnest prayer and faith.

Neglect of diligent study of the Word is sin, for teachers must keep advancing in understanding, wisdom and spiritual power rather than grow careless, idle, or content with repeating the prepared thoughts of others without personal effort. Ministers who waste time and neglect the Bible remain deficient and disappoint those who expect to learn, while approval comes by drinking deeply at the fountain of truth in golden moments with close application, careful thought, prayerful meditation, spirituality and holiness, learning for oneself the reasons of hope. When a special effort to proclaim truth is made, the whole instruction of 2 Timothy 2 must be impressed on the heart and brought into practical life, calling every member to draw near to God, search the heart by the Word, confess and repent of sin, clear the King's highway, sustain the work by means and perfect harmony, attend armed and equipped for service, talk with the interested, and pray and work for lost sheep without indifference or backsliding. Paul exemplifies the approved worker without shame, and his methods are to be studied and followed so the gospel is fully preached by both word and deed.

Character of Approved Worker

The approved worker joins diligent study and correct handling of truth with a life of purity, faith, love and peace, teaching gently and patiently rather than quarreling, even with opposers. That life requires fleeing youthful desires and pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace, while recognizing and correcting defects of character, since even one missing qualification can hinder the rest and an excessive trait can disrupt their proper balance. It calls for humility, self-denial, devotion to God's glory and unselfish concern for others, because defects mishandle sacred truth. It demands examining natural disposition and developed character with constant watchfulness and self-discipline, forming character by God's Word and the divine model and guarding against habits and mental or moral tendencies the worker would not want imitated by those brought to the truth, without a bigoted spirit that stirs prejudice.

Approval is gained through self-distrust and working under God's direction, receiving responsibilities and power from Him to increase talents lent in trust, growing in ability, tact, skill, clear discernment and wise mastery. The faithful workman stands at his own post without neglecting his duty, knowing that what counts is what abiding Christ accomplishes through him, and in perplexity goes not to any human source but to the living God, trusting and leaning upon Him. He does not murmur, fret and chafe over others' work, charge brethren with wrong motives and lack of judgment, or strive about words to no profit that subvert hearers. Humility means teachability and steady learning from Jesus rather than insistence on one's own methods, giving up self-directed ways, depending humbly on grace, opening the heart to God and welcoming heavenly influences through full self-renunciation and surrender to Christ's transforming power.

Faithfulness in small duties proves fitness for greater responsibilities and weightier trusts, while neglect of lesser tasks shows unfitness for more honored work. Taking up every assigned duty however lowly with fidelity, courage, faithfulness and care as to the Lord, willingly standing in the lot God assigns as co-laborer in any part of His vineyard without seeking the highest place, supremacy for opinions, or choosing place and position, brings God's smile upon faithfulness in what is least, and in due time He lifts the humble worker and makes such a one ruler over many things. This includes cheerfully and lovingly performing small duties in the path, such as wisely managing one's own child, being a good wife, making a good home, relying on one's own resources and bearing practical burdens, rather than neglecting necessary duties while aspiring to some great work, since faithfulness as a parent prepares for bearing burdens in the church and dealing wisely with difficult tempted minds. It also means doing the personal work no one else can do in order to stand amid the perils of the day of God, divesting selfishness, learning God's mind and will after the pattern of Jesus in whose whole life there was not one selfish act, disciplining affections and thoughts, taking time for self-examination, bringing all powers into subjection to God's mind and will, overcoming impulsiveness, irritability and willfulness and self-centered living, so the life benefits others, does good with means given, and exerts good influence over all associates.

Studying to be approved means faithfully using and governing all light, knowledge, powers, talents, means, opportunities, will, intellect, emotions, appetites and passions entrusted as steward of grace, with actions corresponding to light received. These gifts belong to the Lord who purchased His servants, and each is responsible to do his best in appointed work, showing stewardship by deeds. Faithful use brings greater capacity and understanding and skill for further service, while avoidable ignorance and inability when better service could result from privileges given does not meet approval, yet even small opportunities and talents diligently improved advance the divine life and prepare for better service. Work offered with pure and sincere heart is pleasing and acceptable as a fragrant offering, and any reward for faithful stewardship comes through Christ's grace and moment-by-moment dependence, not personal merit or ground for pride.

The unashamed worker's words and works are untainted by earthliness and sensualism, with all coarseness, trifling, empty amusement and exaggeration put away as fruit of a corrupt tree. Leaders in God's institutions and all entrusted with teaching must feel solemn responsibility to give youth a worthy example corresponding to a position of trust and holy profession, sowing seed that will blossom and bear fruit, knowing lessons by word and example are a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. This requires sound judgment, high moral tone, circumspect deportment, pure speech, and remembrance of a high and holy calling under God's eye day and night with a Watcher and true Witness to every word and act, allowing not even the appearance of evil. Those whose thoughts run in a low channel and whose conversation corrupts rather than elevates demoralize others and must be removed at once from connection with the institution, which is a missionary field. The same standard governs everyday conduct such as writing letters to honor God, elevate others and lead toward heaven, reaching for heavenly light, peace and joy while seeking Christ's righteousness rather than one's own. It also means not harming brethren by complaining of them, misjudging unreadable hearts, speaking evil and instilling evil surmisings in weak souls, planting seeds for an evil harvest, placing stumbling blocks, making crooked paths, turning the lame out of the way, or closing access to tempted souls by indiscreet conduct, but helping the tempted and encouraging families to consecrate themselves to God on solid foundation, knowing account must be given in judgment.

Seeking God's approval requires serious inquiry into what conduct leads to salvation and prepares for Christ's coming, dying to self and overcoming pride, selfishness, covetousness, love of the world, hatred, suspicion, jealousy and other defects. It turns study away from outward appearance and self-gratification toward the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit of great worth in God's sight, valuing salvation of the soul and God's approval above getting gain, making money, pride and studied appearance. It means being thorough, persevering, steady, firm, established and settled in purpose, gaining power to resist temptation and finishing salvation with fear and trembling, bringing appetite into subjection by regular healthful eating instead of choosing known unhealthful foods to gratify depraved desire, learning to work, dress and eat healthily instead of letting appetite, desire and pride control reason to injury of health, since departing from given light to follow the heart forfeits blessing and health and hinders growth in grace and heavenly knowledge. Each must humbly search the heart as to being in God's love instead of noticing others' wrongs and making trials for the church, doing the large work of excelling in forbearance, love and compassion for brethren, which God will help when taken hold of in earnest, and deliberate attention to salvation and the life to come renews the mind and prepares character for eternal life.

The approved worker shows tenderest pity and sympathy to the poor, widows and fatherless, interested in them and treating them as one would wish his own wife and children treated if left dependent and afflicted to the cold mercies of the world, since serving selfish interest and heartlessly neglecting the unfortunate is opposite to seeking the kingdom and Christ's righteousness and bars blessing until seen. Minds must be handled carefully to help them grow toward the heavenly kingdom and develop rather than crush their powers, not imposing one's own mold, with words spoken with care, since those bearing Christ's name are God's chosen precious people and workers are accountable for souls in their care. This requires fervent piety, patience and concern for spiritual growth to represent Christ and work together with God, with repentance for passion or impatience as a wrong example. It means bearing patiently as Jesus does with jealous and sensitive persons whose pampered pride is like an inflamed wound that will not bear touch, enduring misunderstanding and unkind judgment while following His footsteps and avoiding as far as possible what stirs feelings and leaves disagreeable impressions, remembering character is being worked out for future immortal life, and those who so study are taught and guided individually by the Lord who is found when sought with all the heart and is no respecter of persons.

God's approval rather than human praise is sought, since human judgment may be wrong and controlled by natural feeling, and the work of caring for the flock and presenting truth is great labor and burden carried through discouragement to bring people to Christ by grace and strength God gives. Every messenger of the last message must seek approval by diligent study and correct handling rather than trying to be clever or popular, shunning profane empty talk and strife about words that profit nothing, subvert hearers and increase ungodliness, holding forth the Word of Life in daily yoking with Christ, lifting His burdens and learning from Him day by day as laborers together with God, without which one is unfit for ministry. Strength received as Jesus received it enables patient endurance of what appears unjust, perplexing, trying and irritating, including unjust suspicions, without discouragement, restiveness or impatience for deliverance, glorifying God in temptation by continually looking to Jesus as Author and Finisher of faith. The worker gives himself wholly to the calling from which God has not released, letting judgment and reason govern instead of feeling, refusing to give up as useless, pressing in with armor on to use the short time left, bearing living pointed testimony without failing in a point, laboring earnestly and zealously as God's mouthpiece, staying at the post, crying aloud without sparing, and saving all possible because probation is passing and mercy's voice will soon be heard no more. Standing in God's strength under His acknowledgment with influence up to the true standard as chosen for special work requires reconversion exposing and reshaping imperfections after the divine likeness, without which one cannot please the Master, while turning to seek worldly recognition separates from God, spoils influence, makes striving for first and greatest last of all, and mixing small commercial affairs for gain, neglect of economy, self-gratification and display with grand truths handled is forbidden.

Consecration makes an efficient worker, with every ability and power dedicated to God, clean hands and pure spirit in handling sacred things, strength by God's Spirit, good work done for the Lord, and course changed when God's Word directs. Becoming approved requires self-renunciation and unreserved casting of oneself broken upon Christ, opening the heart's door to bring all heavenly agencies and attributes into the soul, whereupon Christ gathers the person in everlasting arms, the truth received into the heart working by transforming power. Workers redeemed from a life of sin are thus elevated and ennobled by power from Christ to become like Him and work in harmony with Him, with success given in saving every soul who has lost God's image through sin and reaching those in the hopeless condition once known. Forming such an approved character able to labor in any part of God's moral vineyard is made possible because Christ as Surety, though Lord of glory, willingly endured inconvenience and suffering to place men favorably to form it, showing how highly He values His human agents and the mystery of godliness in their growth.

Call to All Believers

The charge to study to be approved by God as an unashamed worker who handles truth rightly belongs to every believer young and old, not to preaching ministers alone. It means doing the work God assigns, fulfilling even the least duty, following what is good, and rightly handling truth, rather than neglecting duty or excusing oneself by the failures of others. Even one who feels unable of himself to do anything for a poor soul is to begin to work, with angels standing by to put new thoughts in the mind and lead it to grasp most precious truths. Such working is a school of gaining while diffusing and receiving while giving, for what has been freely received is to be freely given.

Mere belonging to the church or having the name on the church book does not save; each member must show himself approved by God as a worker who need not be ashamed. This requires building character day by day according to Christ's directions, abiding in Him, and continually exercising faith in Him. Through that union the life shows the change of heart and bears good fruit, growing toward full maturity in Christ as wholesome, cheerful, grateful Christians whom God leads into ever clearer light. It is a call to work with eternity in view and to dedicate every power to God's service.

Young people, families, teachers, and students are called to study earnestly to gain God's approval and become unashamed workers who handle truth rightly. This is an educative principle for every family and school, preparing people to open the Bible, unfold its truths for others, open the Bible to others and give Bible readings, and become burden-bearers and missionaries of whom Christ is not ashamed. The course of study must be pure, rejecting teaching mixed with profane and empty talk which leads to ungodliness and error. Those who seek to honor and glorify God study in this way.

Such Bible study gives a firm foundation for knowledge, develops, strengthens and expands the mind, teaches what God approves and rejects, and leads to knowing God and one's relation to Christ as sin-bearer, surety and substitute. Character approved by God requires more than worldly learning; it is formed through righteousness, purity, and study of God's word and the principles of heaven. That education prepares learners for useful service and for life in another world, while neglect of opportunity to gain needed knowledge and training leaves the worker with cause for shame.

God requires cultivated, consecrated ability with properly directed powers, for unfolding the hidden spiritual treasures of truth acceptably calls for meekness in Christ and intellect fitted for the work, which novices with uncultivated powers are not prepared to do. Schools and colleges are His appointed means for this development, cultivating abilities and intellect to produce workers who can serve acceptably without shame and put Bible knowledge into practical use where they serve, becoming wise unto salvation. Preparation includes correcting defective speech by painstaking effort, prayer and cooperation with the Holy Spirit to gain a clear, distinct, intelligible voice and correct pure language, with disciplined manner, practical thoroughness, and consecration that overcomes defects instead of excusing neglect of available learning. Workers are not to engage in work without training nor remain half-trained with untrained intellect and frivolous life, but are to train human faculties to wrestle with hard problems for divine truth in simplicity and humility until great truths are incorporated as living reality, with Christ as Educator molding the mind for upbuilding His kingdom.

Fitness as an unashamed worker who gives each household and each mind its portion of truth in due season, discerning the fitting subject for the occasion to meet varied wants, is gained through varied experience in extended labor in new fields and localities among all classes and varieties of minds, which drives the worker to God and the Bible for light, strength and knowledge. It requires patient humble step-by-step effort from the lowest round upward with persevering energy, diligently improving privileges and opportunities within reach, forming thorough well-devised plans, accepting burdens and facing opposition instead of avoiding difficult duties, and giving full proof of ministry so the work does not show deficiency. Confinement to one locality dwarfs and narrows, and temporal cares must not engross mind and time but the laborer must give himself wholly to the work and grow in grace and knowledge.

The same approval governs specific trusts: men in positions of truth opening Scripture to others must seek wisdom from God, refuse the enemy's temptations, shun empty talk, and give careful counsel, since careless counsel that ruins souls brings guilt under God's law. Ezra-like study searches Scripture for covenant duties, learning Israel's pledge of obedience and God's pledge of blessing. Canvassers labor as in God's sight and in presence of angels, keeping God's claims and coming account before the mind, watching for souls, praying with unfeigned lips for wisdom to speak a word in season, continually purifying the soul by obedience, sensing the value of souls, and using every opportunity to make known Christ's grace, which labor will not be fruitless. Sabbath-school teachers and workers are to labor zealously as intelligent workers seeking approval, giving clear steady instruction that brings saving truth to children and youth in imitation of Christ, rather than spending time on formalities, lengthy remarks or display. Managers and workers in sanitarium work show themselves approved by being wise and true, working humbly, avoiding large debts and unnecessary moves, building only what is necessary, using fewer simpler appliances rather than costly conveniences, saving means in every line so work can extend to many lands, and laboring with God to save soul and body to Christ's glory.

The approved worker proclaims straight truth, warns of danger, and corrects sin and error by preaching and personal work even when unwelcome, teaching with humility and earnestness from love to God and man. He drinks the Holy Spirit instead of the wine of Babylon which is doctrines of error, brings mind and thoughts into captivity to Christ to bear His superscription, beholds Christ to be changed from glory to glory and character to character under God's control, stands to the front speaking God's words, and falls broken upon the Rock so Christ's power is felt. He trains and disciplines himself under Bible rules with no fiber of selfishness and no loose careless work, cooperating with divine intelligences, blessing and blessed, shining as a light to those in danger of missing the way, so his work endures for time and eternity. In the dangers of this time every believer distrusts self, watches and prays every hour, does not go of himself into temptation where Satan lays his snare nor give mind, heart and energies to the world under Satan's training, and shuns profane vain babblings which increase ungodliness.

Seeking approval governs daily conduct in writing, marriage, temptation and home life, calling ministers, teachers and members to stand sound in principle without schism, not strive about words to no profit, cease criticizing health reform unknown by experience, stand shoulder to shoulder with those in right lines, and give the reasons of faith with health light to churches and world. It calls gospel workers to improve diligently in knowledge of God and His Word, use it skillfully with focused wholehearted faithful use of ability, serve as pioneers while saving expense, and especially charges young ministers entering the work to study to be approved without shame. Bible teachers in Sabbath schools and house-to-house readings must be consecrated, understand Scripture and explain it rightly.