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

George F. Somsel gfsomsel at juno.com
Mon Jun 21 14:56:41 EDT 2004


On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 13:24:14 -0400 "Thomas Roth" <twroth at worldnet.att.net
writes:
> 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.
> 
____________________

Arie has already given you a pointer in the right direction, but I
thought you might be interested in what is stated in BGAD (sorry, my new
edition is at a friend's right now)

ORQOTOMEW found elsewh. independently of the NT only Pr 3:6; 11:5, where
it is used w. hODOUS and plainly means ‘cut a path in a straight
direction’ or ‘cut a road across country (that is forested or otherwise
difficult to pass through) in a straight direction’, so that the traveler
may go directly to his destination (cf. Thu. 2, 100, 2 hODOUS EUQEIAS
ETEME; Hdt. 4, 136 TETMHMENH hODOS; Pla., Leg. 7 p. 810e; Plut., Galba
24, 7; Jos., C. Ap. 1, 309). Then ORQOTOMEIN TON LOGON THS ALHQEIAS would
perh. mean guide the word of truth along a straight path (like a road
that goes straight to its goal), without being turned aside by wordy
debates or impious talk 2 Ti 2:15. For such other mngs. as teach the word
aright, expound it soundly, shape rightly, and preach fearlessly, s.
M-M.* 

It has nothing to do with dividing the Bible into different divisions.

gfsomsel


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