Rightly-Dividing the Word of Truth


Author: Richard Jordan, Grace School of the Bible


“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

In Ephesians 2 the Apostle Paul sets forth the basic three-fold division in God’s dealing with mankind: Time Past (vs. 11,12), But Now (v. 13), the Ages to Come (v. 7).  When the Bible is “laid out” according to this divinely inspired design we easily get an overview of not only what we are reading but when and to whom it was written.  Thus the Word of God itself provides us with the key to its own proper understanding and right division:

  Time Past: Ephesians 2:11,12 sets forth the basic issue in Time Past as the division between the Circumcision and the Uncircumcision, between the nation Israel and the Gentiles.  When you find this issue governing the way God was working with men, you know you are in Time Past. This covers the “Old Testament” (see Gen. 17:9-14, Deut. 4:5-8, Num. 23:9) as well as Matthew thru John (See Rom 15:8, Matt 10:5,6; 15:24, John 4:22) and the early Acts period (see Luke 24:47, Acts 1:6,8; 2:14,22,36; 5:32; 11:19).


   But Now: Eph. 2:13 indicates that in the But Now portion Gentiles are no longer “far off” but rather the “middle wall of partition” between Israel and the Gentiles has been eliminated and now “those who were far off are made nigh.” Romans thru Philemon provide the doctrine for the dispensation of grace (Rom. 11:13; 15:16; 16:25, 1 Cor. 14:37, Eph. 3:1-9).


   The Ages to Come: God will bring His purposes to fruition and the Eph 2:7 points to the Ages to Come. The books of Hebrews thru Revelation focus on this.


     Below are pictures of the situation.
















       The chart above shows how history would progress had the Prophecy program “which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21) continued uninterrupted.  

Had Israel accepted Jesus Christ as its Messiah, the timeline would immediately have gone from Time Past to Ages to Come. However, Israel Rejected Christ as her Messiah and crucified him.  Even after a year’s time (up through Acts 8) they persisted in rejecting the Messiah.















  

    Instead, God brought about the parenthetical mystery program which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest” (Rom 16:25,26).  It is during this time that God is building the “Body of Christ” which is the only agency through which God is operating on Earth today. (See ‘Are Signs and Wonders for Today?’)

 Summary:

   The present dispensation of grace is “the mystery” hid in God until first revealed to the Apostle Paul (Eph. 3:19, Col. 1:24-26, Rom. 16:25,26, 1 Tim 2:4-7, Tit. 1:2,3, etc.). Thus in Paul’s writings alone we find the doctrine, position, walk and destiny of the Body of Christ.

Remember: While all Scripture is for us all Scripture is not written to or about us.  This is the key to understanding the Bible.