At my workplace - Renison University College in Waterloo - there are several cornerstones that testify to our expansion over the years. The oldest cornerstone, which is now inside the building, quotes 2 Timothy 2:15. Its in the old King James Version of the bible so it reads, "rightly dividing the word of truth". I don 't know how often the cornerstone is noticed nor do I know how it is interpreted if it is noticed. I did hear a story recently of a student from long ago who read the inscription upon waking up from an unplanned overnight sleep outside the building; he didn't necessarily know what the words meant but, in the place where he found himself, they inspired him to stop drinking alcohol!
Timothy is instructed by Paul to remind the followers of Jesus to:
Remember Jesus Christ (verse 8) . . . avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth (verses 14 - 15).We can't know exactly what the controversies were but it seems that there were a lot of words flying around upsetting the faith of some. Wrangling - "having a long and complicated dispute or argument" - is named as divisive and destructive. Instead of wrangling over words Paul seems to be instructing Timothy to call the people back to remember Jesus, to focus on his kingdom, and to figure out what teachings are central in their time and space. And that figuring out is to be done in a spirit of service and love:
Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness.Not a bad reminder in one's workplace. Or in one's life.
Marilyn Malton
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