Okay, great, all of this is good!
However, the point I was hoping to address is something that we seem to stumble on in our consideration of the scriptures. We know that they are Spirit and inspired by the Spirit, and life, literally. We also know that they are a two-edged sword cutting both ways.
But what gets overlooked and not often acknowledged is a statement in the second paragraph below, equally true in the need of rightly dividing the word (in the first paragraph). That second statement could easily be considered as not regarding the word of God at all, but rather simply as pertaining to some who do not rightly divide it--and it would appear that most do. However, that is only one part of the context. The main context is the word itself. And I would not even go there, not consider it any different than what most consider to be the case...except (continued below)...
2 Timothy 2:14-26 "Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
...Except that does not address all scripture, but leaves a distant would-be contradiction unreconciled, which I would suggest is that "
two edged sword" effect and
confusion, clearly stated as pertaining to the scriptures, even in the synagogues:
“
Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death." Matthew 10:21
"
Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”
Genesis 11:7
"
I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things." Isaiah 45:7
...Which is not to say that any of the scriptures are evil, or should be discarded. Heaven forbid. But rather that the Lord has included weakness like each day begins with the darkness of evening followed by the light of morning, or as
flesh and
wood in the building of His master house...that need to be rightly divided, separating what is of the flesh from that which is born of the Spirit. Which, yes, means that one scripture could presumably be pit against another against the warning to "
avoid foolish and ignorant disputes." But also, that within the text are fleshly stumbling blocks, that are not exactly there to be "
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" in the way we would naturally consider them. But indeed, must be cut straight, not dividing them out of God's overall purpose-- but dividing out what is like
tares among the wheat, in the final revelation of all truth--
not by flesh and blood, but by the spirit of our Father in heaven.
So, then, just as the evening darkness comes each day, and then the morning [light], so also the word comes shrouded in the darkness of fleshly concerns and natural instincts, but is revealed by the Spirit. "
And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit."
1 Corinthians 15:45
The point then being, that it is indeed foolish to have such disputes over the scriptures. Correction, yes, instruction, yes, but not disputes founded upon those things of wood and flesh. Thus, no attempt at corrections can be conjecture; and proclamations and instruction cannot be attempted without first rightly dividing the word-- which is true in heaven where flesh and wood cannot enter, and indeed are not profitable "
to the ruin of the hearers."
