Paul's trade was tent making. So, who lived in tents in the Apostle Paul's day? Most likely, Roman soldiers lived in tent camps. And 1st century travelers might have needed a tent to use where inns were few and far between. Paul's trade gives special meaning to the word, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who is … accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15), because the phrase “accurately handling” literally means “cutting straight.” Paul knew the importance of cutting straight pieces of fabric to avoid making windy tents!
Paul’s meaning, then, is that we should study the Bible in its entirety, so we can rightly connect all the parts. Otherwise, our doctrine will be full of holes—like people living in windy tents, “tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching” (Eph. 4:14). Knowing the Word of God, and having sound doctrine, will become increasingly more important “in later times [when] some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1). I think we are living on the cutting edge.
Greg,
ReplyDeleteTo date, among all of your posts, this is-- to me-- your finest. This has renewed my desire to read through the Bible, and not even concern myself to do so by a specific date (i.e., one year, etc.).
Thanks again for your imparted wisdom and understanding!
Stan
Thank you Stan. The issue of "rightly dividing" or "accurately handling" the Word of God is probably the most important issue in our time. The only way we will know the false is to know the truth. Every prophetic word, every 'word of knowledge,' every teaching must be held up to the light of the Word to see if it passes the test.
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