2 Timothy · Chapter 2
2 Timothy 2:15 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth."
KJV · King James Version
"Study4704 to shew3936 thyself4572 approved1384 unto God2316, a workman2040 that needeth not to be ashamed422, rightly dividing3718 the word3056 of truth225."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses study, shew, thyself, unto, while the WEB renders these as give, diligence, present, yourself. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
2 Timothy 2:15 in 2 Timothy 2
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is 2 Timothy 2:15 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of 2 Timothy 2. Read the full chapter →
- v.13 If we are faithless, he remains faithful. For he can’t deny himself.”
- v.14 Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.
- v.15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
- v.16 But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,
- v.17 and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
Book background
About the Book of 2 Timothy
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Pauline epistle
- Author
- Paul
- Date written
- c. 66–67 AD
- Audience
- Timothy — and through him, every Christian minister
- Chapters
- 4
2 Timothy is Paul's deathbed letter — a torch passed to Timothy. He charges him to guard the gospel, endure suffering, preach the Word "in season and out of season" (4:2), and reach his finish line as Paul has: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (4:7). The book contains the great affirmation that "all Scripture is breathed out by God" (3:16).
Setting: Paul's final letter, written from a Roman dungeon awaiting execution.
Key themes: endurance · scripture · gospel · faithfulness · finishing well
Memorisation aid
How to memorise 2 Timothy 2:15
2 Timothy 2:15 contains 22 words in 3 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Give diligence to present yourself approved by God
GDTPYA
- 2
a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed
AWWDNT
- 3
properly handling the Word of Truth.
PHTWOT
Frequently asked
FAQ about 2 Timothy 2:15
What does 2 Timothy 2:15 say?
2 Timothy 2:15 reads: "Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth." — from the New Testament, 2 Timothy (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is 2 Timothy 2:15 in?
2 Timothy 2:15 is in the book of 2 Timothy, traditionally attributed to Paul and written around c. 66–67 AD. 2 Timothy is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to Timothy — and through him, every Christian minister. Best known for "all Scripture is breathed out by God" and "I have fought the good fight".
What is the difference between 2 Timothy 2:15 in WEB and KJV?
2 Timothy 2:15 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Study4704 to shew3936 thyself4572 approved1384 unto God2316, a workman2040 that needeth not to be ashamed422, rightly dividing3718 the word3056 of truth225.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is 2 Timothy 2:15?
2 Timothy 2:15 is 22 words in the WEB translation (130 characters), broken into 3 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 7 seconds.
How can I memorise 2 Timothy 2:15?
To memorise 2 Timothy 2:15, split it into its 3 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does 2 Timothy 2:15 matter in 2 Timothy?
2 Timothy is Paul's deathbed letter — a torch passed to Timothy. He charges him to guard the gospel, endure suffering, preach the Word "in season and out of season" (4:2), and reach his finish line as Paul has: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (4:7). The book contains the great affirmation that "all Scripture is breathed out by God" (3:16). 2 Timothy 2:15 sits within this larger story — 2 Timothy as a whole emphasises endurance, scripture, gospel.
How can I apply 2 Timothy 2:15 today?
Many readers use 2 Timothy 2:15 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download 2 Timothy 2:15 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
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John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a latter end.”
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Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
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Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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More featured verses in 2 Timothy
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2 Timothy 1:7
“For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
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2 Timothy 3:16
“Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,”
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2 Timothy 4:7
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.”
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2 Timothy 4:8
“From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, bu…”
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