Do modern versions corrupt the scripture by not using “study” in 2 TImothy 2:15? Here are the cold hard facts without commentary. Let the reader decide.
Version Comparisons
2 Timothy 2:15
KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
LSB Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
ESV 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.
NASB Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
NKJV Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
NA28 σπούδασον σεαυτὸν δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ θεῷ, ἐργάτην ἀνεπαίσχυντον, ὀρθοτομοῦντα τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας.
Defining the Term
σπουδάζω (spoudazō), verb. be zealous; be eager. fut.act. σπουδάσω; aor.act. ἐσπούδασα; perf.act. ἐσπούδακα; aor.pass. ἐσπουδάσθην; perf.mid. ἐσπούδασμαι. Hebrew equivalent: בהל.
Verb Usage
- to hurry (rush) — to act or move at high speed.
2 Ti 4:9 Σπούδασον ἐλθεῖν πρός με ταχέως·
2 Ti 4:21 Σπούδασον πρὸ χειμῶνος ἐλθεῖν.
Tt 3:12 Ὅταν πέμψω Ἀρτεμᾶν πρὸς σὲ ἢ Τυχικόν, σπούδασον ἐλθεῖν πρός - to be eager — to have or show keen interest, intense desire, or impatient expectancy. Related Topics: Diligence; Zeal; Zealot.
1 Th 2:17 καρδίᾳ, περισσοτέρως ἐσπουδάσαμεν τὸ
2 Ti 2:15 σπούδασον σεαυτὸν δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ θεῷ, ἐργάτην ἀνεπαίσχυντον, ὀρθοτομοῦντα τὸν
2 Pe 1:10 διὸ μᾶλλον, ἀδελφοί, σπουδάσατε βεβαίαν ὑμῶν τὴν κλῆσιν καὶ ἐκλογὴν
2 Pe 1:15 σπουδάσω δὲ καὶ ἑκάστοτε ἔχειν ὑμᾶς μετὰ τὴν ἐμὴν ἔξοδον
2 Pe 3:14 Διό, ἀγαπητοί, ταῦτα προσδοκῶντες σπουδάσατε ἄσπιλοι καὶ ἀμώμητοι αὐτῷ εὑρεθῆναι
Lexicons
BDAG σπουδάζω to be especially conscientious in discharging an obligation, be zealous/eager, take pains, make every effort, be conscientious
Louw-Nida to be eager to do something, with the implication of readiness to expend energy and effort—‘to be eager, eagerness, devotion
DBL Greek do one’s best, make every effort
Renderings of σπουδάζω in the KJV
Study
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Do…dilligence
2 Timothy 4:9 (KJV) 9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
2 Timothy 4:21 (KJV) 21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
dilligent
Titus 3:12 (KJV) 12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
labour
Hebrews 4:11 (KJV) 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
give dilligence
2 Peter 1:10 (KJV) 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
be dilligent
2 Peter 3:14 (KJV) 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
What about Ecclesiastes 12:12? Because a KJVO brought it up as an example
Ecclesiastes 12:12 (KJV) 12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Ecclesiastes 12:12 (BHS OT) 12 וְיֹתֵ֥ר מֵהֵ֖מָּה בְּנִ֣י הִזָּהֵ֑ר עֲשֹׂ֨ות סְפָרִ֤ים הַרְבֵּה֙ אֵ֣ין קֵ֔ץ וְלַ֥הַג הַרְבֵּ֖ה יְגִעַ֥ת בָּשָֽׂר׃
Ecclesiastes 12:12 (LXX) 12 καὶ περισσὸν ἐξ αὐτῶν. υἱέ μου, φύλαξαι τοῦ ποιῆσαι βιβλία πολλά· οὐκ ἔστιν περασμός, καὶ μελέτη πολλὴ κόπωσις σαρκός.
μελέτη -ης, ἡ; (meletē), noun. thought; meditation. Heb. equiv. fr. LXX: שַׁעֲשֻׁעִים (5), הִגָּיוֹן (2), שִׂיחָה (2).
Key Passages: • Ps 38:4; Ps 48:4; Ps 118:24; Ps 118:77; Ec 12:12; Job 33:15; Job 37:2; La 3:62
This is a completely different word than what is used in 2 Timothy 2:15.
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