2Tim 2:15

“But it is God's work to dwell invisibly by his spirit and by the Spirit of Christ in those whom he judges it right to dwell. Whereas it is our task, since we try to confirm faith by arguments and treatises, to do all in our power that we may be called "workmen who need not to be ashamed, handling rightly the word of truth."”

“"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Everywhere this "not being ashamed"! And why is he ever so careful to guard him against shame? Because it was natural for many to be ashamed both of Paul himself, as being a tent-maker, and of the preaching, since its teachers perished. For Christ had been crucified, himself was about to be beheaded, Peter was crucified with his head downwards, and these things they suffered from audacious and despicable men. Because such men were in power, he says, "Be not ashamed"; that is, fear not to do anything tending to godliness, though it be necessary to submit to slavery or any other suffering. For how does any one become approved? By being "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed." As the workman is not ashamed of any work, so neither should he be ashamed who labors in the Gospel. He should submit to anything. "Rightly dividing the word of truth." This he hath well said. For many distort it, and pervert it in every way, and many additions are made to it. He has not said directing it, but "rightly dividing," that is, cut away what is spurious, with much vehemence assail it, and extirpate it. With the sword of the Spirit cut off from your preaching, as from a thong, whatever is superfluous and foreign to it.”

“He explains how one can become skilled, namely, if he is "a worker who has no need to be ashamed": that is, if he is not ashamed to do everything that pertains to godliness. In this way you will earn approval from the Master, if you endure everything for His sake, if you fulfill everything. Everywhere with great earnestness the apostle speaks about shame, because for the majority, both the cross of Christ and the preaching about Him, as though it were ignorant, as well as the apostles themselves, as simple people who endured all things, were a source of shame. So then, he says, do not be ashamed. Many either take away from it or add to it, but you guide it on the right path. Or, since the apostle did not say "rightly directing," he implied something else. Cut away, he says, what is foreign to the preaching, as if cutting off superfluous growths on skin and leather, and destroy it with the sword.”

“Carefully study to present yourself: he describes the correct method of resisting: first, in regard to the right intention; second, in regard to the proper actions; third, in regard to right doctrine. A person who wishes to dispute must first examine his intention to see whether he is motivated by good zeal; that is why he says, as one approved unto God, who proves the heart: for not he who commends himself is approved, but he whom God commends (2 Cor 10:18); you have proved my heart and visited it by night (Ps 16:3). Second, he must be sure that he practices in his works the doctrine he preaches: if he does not, he deserves to be embarrassed. Hence, he says, a workman who does not need to be ashamed. As if to say: do these things so that you will not be ashamed. Third, he must take care to handle the word of truth correctly, by teaching what is true and useful to his hearers; hence, he adds, rightly handling the word of truth and not looking for gain and glory: for we are not, as many, adulterators of God's word; but with sincerity and as from God before God in Christ we speak (2 Cor 2:17).”

“Beloved brethren! That a man should build up and establish the brethren on the faith in one God, this also is manifest and well-known. This too, again, is comely, that a man should not be envious of his neighbour. And moreover, again, it is suitable and comely that all those who work the works of the Lord should work the works of the Lord in the fear of God. Thus is it required of them to conduct themselves. That "the harvest is great, but the workmen are few," this also is well-known and manifest. Let us, therefore, "ask of the Lord of the harvest" that He would send forth workmen into the harvest; [Matthew 9:37-38] such workmen as "shall skilfully dispense the word of truth;" workmen "who shall not be ashamed;" faithful workmen; workmen who shall be "the light of the world;" [Matthew 5:14] workmen who "work not for the food that perishes, but for that food which abides unto life eternal;" [John 6:27] workmen who shall be such as the apostles; workmen who imitate the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; who are concerned for the salvation of men; not "hireling" [John 10:12-13] workmen; not workmen to whom the fear of God and righteousness appear to be gain; not workmen who "serve their belly;" not workmen who "with fair speeches and pleasant words mislead the hearts of the innocent;" [Romans 16:18] not workmen who imitate the children of light, while they are not light but darkness — "men whose end is destruction;" [Philippians 3:9] not workmen who practise iniquity and wickedness and fraud; not "crafty workmen;" [2 Corinthians 11:13] not workmen "drunken" and "faithless;" nor workmen who traffic in Christ; not misleaders; not "lovers of money; not malevolent." Let us, therefore, contemplate and imitate the faithful who have conducted themselves well in the Lord, as is becoming and suitable to our calling and profession. Thus let us do service before God in justice and righteousness, and without blemish, "occupying ourselves with things good and comely before God and also before men." For this is comely, that God be glorified in us in all things.”