Recently, we have been confronted with the idea that in order to “steal” some time for personal study, it would be a good idea for the average busy mother to read her bible while standing at the kitchen counter, so that her children would think she was busy and would not bother her while she “studies” Scripture. It has been pointed out that this was godly behavior, and 2Ti 2:15 would back this up.

Now, “Study to shew thyself approved”, a snippet of 2Ti 2:15, indeed seems to advocate personal study, but if you look at the meaning of the Greek word used (G4704), and at other translations than the KJV, you will find that the concept here is not that of personal, silent study, but instead the verse supports what we have heard in Deu 6:7 already:

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deu 6:6-7)

Now let me paste 2Ti 2:15 from a analytical-literal translation and from the ESV, my personal favorite:

“Be eager [or, diligent] to present yourself approved to God [as] a worker with no need to be ashamed, cutting straight [fig., teaching accurately; or, interpreting correctly] the word of truth.” (2Ti 2:15)
ALT

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2Ti 2:15)
ESV

The concept is that we should be diligent in following God’s commandments, and that we should teach and interpret the Scriptures correctly, so the idea of personal study that purposefully excludes the children hardly goes well with this verse either. You do not show yourself approved by reading silently to yourself, but by keeping His commandments. The word “study”, therefore, should more accurately be translated as “endeavor”, “be eager”, “be diligent”, or, as the ESV translates: “do your best” .

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