Study: Be Diligent
Study: Be Diligent
In this study we are primarily concerned not with a
whole chapter or even a verse of Scripture, but with one
specific word. The word examined is from a well-known
verse used in the foundational class on Power for Abundant
Living.
II Timothy 2:15:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth.
The word “study” in the Greek is spoudason which
can be elucidated and understood vividly by further
research. Spoudason is a form of the word spoudazō.
Using spoudazō we can trace other related Greek words
to determine which are derivatives and which is the root
word—the word from which all others are derived. This
study demonstrates a basic principle of Biblical Greek
research which can lead to greater understanding of the
Word of God.
Spoudazō, “study,” is a derivative of speudō which is
the root form. Another term for “root word” could be
the “least common denominator”—the word in its simplest
form, that which is common to all other words
derived from it. There is no word from which speudō
was derived, and therefore it can be considered the least
common denominator, the root. Let us first examine all
the verses of Scripture where the word speudō is used
to see the foundation upon which the related words or
derivatives are built.
Luke 2:16:
And they came with haste [speudō], and found Mary,
and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
When the angels informed the shepherds that they
should go to Bethlehem, the shepherds didn’t let any grass
grow under their feet. They went immediately, right
away, pronto. Time was involved. That is the essence
of the word speudō. Time and the brevity of the time
involved is emphasized in the usage of speudō. To
hasten or hurry requires some effort. But the emphasis is
on speed or time.
Luke 19:5, 6:
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up
[into a tree], and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus,
make haste [speudō], and come down; for
to day I must abide at thy house.
And he [Zacchaeus] made haste [speudō], and came
down, and received him [Jesus] joyfully.
Jesus did more than simply tell Zacchaeus to get down
from the tree. Jesus told him to act immediately, with
speed. And Zacchaeus did just that He “made haste.”
Acts 20:16:
For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because
he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted
[speudō], if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem
the day of Pentecost.
Time was at a premium so “he hasted.” He even bypassed
Ephesus to save time.
Acts 22:18:
And saw him saying unto me, Make haste [speudō],
and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will
not receive thy testimony concerning me.
God told Paul to leave Jerusalem immediately. Using
the slang words of today God was actually saying, “Hot
foot it out of that place! Run like crazy! Move out!”
II Peter 3:12:
Looking for and hasting [speudō] unto the coming
of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on
fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat?
This is the last usage of the root word speudō. Again
the emphasis is on time.
Now let us examine the usages of spoudazō, a derivative
of speudō.
Ephesians 4:3:
Endeavouring [spoudazō] to keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace.
I Thessalonians 2:17:
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short
time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured [spoudazō]
the more abundantly to see your face with
great desire.
II Peter 1:15:
Moreover I will endeavour [spoudazō] that ye may
be able after my decease to have these things always
in remembrance.
Each of the above usages of the word spoudazō shows
the exertion of effort. The emphasis is on the earnest
attempt to achieve or accomplish some goal rather than
on speed.
II Timothy 4:9, 21:
Do thy diligence [spoudazō] to come shortly unto
me.
Do thy diligence [spoudazō] to come before winter. . .
Titus 3:12:
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus,
be diligent [spoudazō] to come unto me to Nicopolis:
for I have determined there to winter.
Paul was asking Timothy and Titus to make an earnest
attempt, to put forth special effort, to visit him at
Nicopolis.
II Peter 1:10:
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence [spoudazō]
to make your calling and election sure: for if
ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
Christians should exert every effort necessary to make
their calling and election sure. Effort rather than speed
is the prime concern.
II Peter 3:14:
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such
things, be diligent [spoudazō] that ye may be found
of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
As you look for this new heaven and earth, be diligent,
exert an effort “. . .that ye may be found of him in
peace, without spot, and blameless.”
Hebrews 4:11:
Let us labour [spoudazō] therefore to enter into that
rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Again the word labor, spoudazō, means to exert an
effort.
Galatians 2:10:
Only they would that we should remember the poor;
the same which I also was forward [spoudazō] to do.
Here the word spoudazō is translated “forward.” From
the other usages already examined it can easily be seen
that here, too, the meaning is to exert an effort.
We have taken the word spoudason and traced it as a
form of spoudazō which is a derivative of the word
speudō. Following through the progression of the meanings
of these words, we arrive at a more comprehensive
understanding of the word “study” in II Timothy 2:15.
It means to “be active” and “watchfully diligent.” We
could translate it “to be earnest about” or “earnestly
diligent.” Another good translation would be “striving
earnestly.” Summing up everything, the depth of the
meaning of “study” is to expend a diligent effort remembering
the brevity of time. In other words, “Give it
everything you’ve got.” God is telling us to exert an effort
earnestly and diligently, utilizing our time wisely. The
emphasis is on effort, but the root speudō brings across
the wise use of time. Applying this to the rest of the
verse we are to exert the effort to show ourselves approved
unto God, rightly dividing the Word of truth. It
should be obvious that the only way to rightly divide
the Word of God is to study it. Thus we are in reality
being told in II Timothy 2:15 to “study earnestly, diligently,
exerting an effort, utilizing our time wisely.”
Many people exert an effort, but waste too much time.
Others hurry, but exert little effort. We are told to exert
the effort and utilize time wisely.
At football games I often marvel at how many touchdowns
the players can make in the last two minutes of
the game. Theoretically speaking, if they can make that
many touchdowns during the last two minutes, they can
make that many for sixty minutes if they are geared
properly. There must be something the football players
do during the last two minutes that they fail to do the
other fifty-eight minutes. That something they do is putting
forth with diligence and watchfulness extra effort
because they know time is running out. This is like the
word spoudason in II Timothy 2:15, “Study to show
thyself approved unto God. . .” How should we study? We
study by putting forth the effort diligently and utilizing
our time wisely.
* * * * * * *
Other Related Words
II Corinthians 8:22:
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we
have oftentimes proved diligent [spoudaios, adjective]
in many things, but now much more diligent
[spoudaios, the comparative of the adjective], upon
the great confidence which I have in you.
Paul said one of the brothers whom he sent with Titus
had “proved diligent,” he had exerted effort for the cause,
but now he had put forth even more effort. He had “put
his shoulder to the wheel.” The time is not emphasized;
effort is.
Luke 7:4:
And when they came to Jesus, they besought him
instantly [spoudaiōs, adverb], saying, That he was
worthy for whom he should do this.
The word “besought” is a clue to the meaning of
spoudaiōs. They did more than just ask Jesus. They
“besought” Him; they put forth effort. A more accurate
translation of spoudaiōs would be “diligently.” Compare
Titus 3:13 and Philippians 2:28 to see that this derivative
emphasizes effort rather than time.
Titus 3:13:
Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey
diligently [spoudaiōs, adverb] that nothing be
wanting unto them.
Paul was instructing Titus to bring Zenas and Apollos
on their journey. He especially said to put forth some
effort for their needs.
Philippians 2:28:
I sent him therefore the more carefully [spoudaioterōs,
adverb, comparative of spoudaiōs, Luke 7:4
and Titus 3:13], that, when ye see him again, ye
may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
To be careful or watchful of anything requires effort.
The word “diligently” could also be used here accurately.
Romans 12:8:
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth,
let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with
diligence [spoudē, noun, dative case] he that sheweth
mercy, with cheerfulness.
He that rules is to put forth some effort in his position.
It is not just a position of honor. Speed is not
emphasized.
Romans 12:11:
Not slothful in business [spoudē, noun, dative case];
fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.
The word “slothful” is “wasting time.” A more consistent
translation of business (spoudē) would be “diligence.”
Do not delay or waste time in putting forth effort in
whatever is your function in serving the Lord. The use
of the word slothful shows that spoudē emphasizes the
effort. If it emphasized time, “slothful” would be unnecessary.
Compare how each derivative fits a specific
emphasis consistently, not haphazardly.
II Corinthians 8:7:
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith,
and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence
[spoudē, noun, dative case], and in your love to us,
see that ye abound in this grace also.
Paul said the Corinthians abounded in everything including
diligence in their effort for the ministry. The
emphasis is on the effort they put forth.
II Corinthians 7:11, 12:
For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after
a godly sort, what carefulness [spoudē, noun, accusative
case] it wrought in you, yea, what clearing
of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear,
yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, what revenge!
In all things ye have approved yourselves to
be clear in this matter.
Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for
his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause
that suffered wrong, but that our care [spoudē, noun,
accusative case] for you in the sight of God might
appear unto you.
II Corinthians 8:16:
But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest
care [spoudē, noun, accusative case] into the heart
of Titus for you.
Hebrews 6:11:
And we desire that every one of you do shew the
same diligence [spoudē, noun, accusative case] to
the full assurance of hope unto the end.
II Peter 1:5:
And beside this, giving all diligence [spoudē, noun,
accusative case], add to your faith virtue; and to
virtue knowledge.
Jude 3:
Beloved, when I gave all diligence [spoudē, noun,
accusative case] to write unto you of the common
salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you,
and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for
the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
The above verses all use the same Greek word in
exactly the same form. Though it has been variously
translated “carefulness,” “care” and “diligence,” the
emphasis is still on effort put forth. The word “diligence”
could have been used in all these verses.
II Corinthians 8:8:
I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of
the forwardness [spoudē, noun, genitive case] of
others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
Paul said, I speak not by commandment, but on account
of the speed of others. They haven’t wasted any
time. Verse 10, “you were willing a year ago, now get
on the stick.” When spoudē is used in the genitive case,
the emphasis changes to the brevity of the time involved.
The “forwardness” of others is the “speed” or “haste”
of others. Compare Mark 6:25 and Luke 1:39 in the
genitive case.
Mark 6:25:
And she came in straightway with haste [spoudē,
noun, genitive case] unto the king, and asked, saying,
I will that thou give me by and by [now] in a charger
the head of John the Baptist.
Luke 1:39:
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill
country with haste [spoudē, noun, genitive case], into
a city of Juda.
Again the genitive case is used and the emphasis is
on speed or brevity of time involved. Notice the word
“straightway” in Mark 6:25 which would indicate speed.
This work covers all the references where the root
word speudō is used and also all of its derivatives.
We now see very clearly that the emphasis of the word
“study” in II Timothy 2:15 is on the effort put forth.
Time is not to be wasted.
This study is a good example of a type of research
that can be done in the Word of God. As many more
words are introduced the quest becomes more complicated,
but the principle remains the same and can be
followed by anyone. This type of research speaks loudly
for the depth of the accuracy of the Word of God.