To divide may mean to separate, distribute, or cut. In 2 Timothy 2:15, “rightly dividing” is better understood as handling or teaching the word of truth correctly.
Definition
To divide may mean to separate, distribute, or cut. In some passages the older rendering “divide” has uncertain meaning and may instead signify stirring or stilling, carrying something quickly, or describing a divided or smooth condition. The Greek expression in 2 Timothy 2:15 literally means to cut straight and thus to handle rightly.
Biblical Usage
The term is used of distributing money, of a divided heart, and of the sea being stirred or stilled, depending on translation. In 2 Timothy 2:15, “rightly dividing the word of truth” is understood more literally as handling the word of truth rightly or holding a straight course in it.
Historical Background
The underlying Hebrew verbs can carry more than one sense, which accounts for differing translations. The New Testament image of cutting straight supplies the traditional wording and the interpretation of correct handling.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>di-vid': It is difficult to decide whether ragha` (Job 26:12; Isa 51:15; Jer 31:35) should be rendered "to stir up" or "to still." The Hebrew has both meanings. Some render "He causes the sea to tremble." the Revised Version (British and American) reads "to stir" in text and "to still" in margin, while the King James Version has "to divide" in all three cases. 2Ch 35:13, "carried them quickly" (the King James Version "divided them speedily"). Since cholaq, may mean either "to distribute" or "to be smooth," Ho 10:2 reads "their heart is divided" in the text, but offers "smooth" in margin (the King James Version "divided"). The Greek orthotomeo, means "to cut straight," hence, the more literal translation of 2Ti 2:15, "handling aright the word of truth" (note "holding a straight course in the way of truth" or "rightly dividing the word of truth"; the King James Version "rightly dividing").</p><p>A. L. Breslich</p>
