[B-Greek] SPOUDAZW and ORQOTOMEW IN 2 TIM 2:15

Carl W. Conrad cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Mon Jun 21 13:24:14 EDT 2004


Forwarded for: "thomas roth" <twroth at worldnet.att.net>
To: <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: SPOUDAZW and ORQOTOMEW
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2004 12:14:55 -0400

[Co-chair's note: while this has been posed as a question involving both
translation and exegesis, I think it might be most appropriate to comment
on the proper understanding of the Greek verbs involved and to ignore
sectarian doctrinal aspects of the question.]

Sirs,
I have a question regarding the words SPOUDAZW and ORQOTOMEW as they occur
in 2 Tim 2:15.
Most of the SPOUDAZW shows up it is translated to "do diligence" or
"endeavor". However for some reason in this passage the King James
translators decided to translate it as "study", and it is the only time
they did so of its 11 occurrences.
Is there a reason for this, and how is one to know that in 1611 the word
"study" really meant to "give (or do) diligence"? 
Granted, in the revised editions the word has been changed from "study" to
other words such as "be diligent" or "give diligence".
Similarly, at the end of this verse, the word ORQOTOMEW has been
translated, 4 centuries ago, to mean "rightly divide"; this too has been
revised in later editions.
The "problem" with "study" and "rightly divide" stems from the fact that
certain church groups, specifically Scofield
(<http://www.biblebelievers.com/scofield/>www.biblebelievers.com/scofield/) and
others  hang a great deal of their teaching on this verse, possibly one of
the most often quoted verses in the Bible after John 3:16. They believe
that "study" means just that, and that "rightly divide" means that certain
parts of the Bible are meant for certain groups of people in certain time
periods, and we must literally divide it up with respect to those implied
divisions; see <http://www.rightdivision.com>www.rightdivision.com
Has this topic already been handled by your group? If so, please direct me
to that archived area. If not, how will I get an response to this question?
I'm not familiar with your organization and the format for posing questions.
Thank you for any assistance in this matter. I realize this is not
necessarily a question of the Greek words, and may involve interpretation
of the Bible's meaning, which may not be your area of study.

Sincerely,
Tom Roth
Dayton OH
"....Glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulations worketh patience,
and patience experience
and experience hope...."
----Romans 5:3-4




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