Go For It!

While in the midst of my endurance walk yesterday, I was met by a couple who were also out for a walk and the gentleman stated, “You’re really GOING AFTER IT.” His comment regarding my walking pace brought to mind a passage I had looked at the day before when I was working on yesterday’s focus. It was a passage I had memorized as a child; a verse that was intended to encourage the study of the Scriptures. I had learned it in the King James Version as follows.

“STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” ( 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

The English Standard Version reads…
“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.” ( 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)

The New King James Version and the New American Standard Bible each begin, “BE DILIGENT….”, the American Standard Versions begins, “GIVE DILIGENCE….”, and the New Living Translation begins, “WORK HARD….” To “study” (KJV) implies the diligence and effort clearly brought out in the other translations.

Noting the different words used in our English translations I had checked out the Greek which is why the gentleman’s comment brought the passage back to mind. The Greek word translated “study” in the KJV and “do your best” in the ESV is “spoudazo”. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states this word “signifies to hasten to do a thing, to exert oneself, endeavour, give diligence.”

To “HASTEN TO DO A THING.” Doesn’t that sound like the idea of GOING FOR IT? People have lots of varying desires in which they might be encouraged by others to “GO FOR IT!” Such might be a career choice, or a particular relationship, or merely some activity in which one has expressed the desire to be involved. The encouragement to “GO FOR IT!” is not always toward a good or God glorifying thing. However, when it comes to seeking to be approved of God, that was truly something Paul was encouraging Timothy (and us) to “GO FOR IT!” Let us “HASTEN TO DO” it! Such should truly mark the greatest pursuit of our life.

Have a great day IN HOT PURSUIT OF GOD’S APPROVAL!
Carl

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