Study to Understand

Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith…As I besought thee…that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine… [1 Tim 1:2-4 KJB]

All of God’s word, as found in English for English-speaking peoples (the KJB),

All scripture is given…That the man of God may be perfect [mature], throughly furnished unto all good works. [2 Timothy 3:16-17]

…is for us, but not all of it is about us nor is it to us.  That why it is imperative to one’s spiritual growth in the Lord by the gospel of the grace of God to rightly divide the scriptures…

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [2 Tim 2:15 KJB]

…separating the word of truth into that which hath been spoken since the world began (Prophecy)…

Luke 1:70

As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

Acts 3:21

Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

…and that which hath been kept secret.   

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: [1 Corinthians 2:7 KJB]

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [Romans 16:25 KJB]

The 12 apostles were commissioned with the good news of the kingdom of Heaven; whereas the apostle commissioned to go to the Gentiles, Paul, was given the good news of the grace of God. To mix the two commissions by preaching the doctrine of both to us in the dispensation of Grace that began with Paul is wrongly dividing the word of truth—and going against the express will of God as written down in scripture for our doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. 

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I [Paul] write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. [1 Corinthians 14:37 KJB]

God gave each man free will…and the choice is ours on how we labour with God. 

For we are labourers together with God…According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon….every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try [and reveal] every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  [1 Cor 3:9-15 KJB]

But if any man [chooses to] be ignorant [of the doctrine given to Paul], let him be ignorant.  [1 Corinthians 14:38 KJB]

Seven times Paul wrote of specific doctrine we are not to be ignorant of and wrote 13 epistles to and for us, the church, the body of Christ, to study—all the while, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Therefore, let us not neglect to…