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Pure Truth

Sterling silver is an alloy containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper or other alloys. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness of 925, which denotes the purity of the silver. The fine silver used in bullion bars is 999, also known as three-nines fine. To get to this standard, silver must be refined by fire. The ore needs to be heated to twelve hundred degrees to burn away the impurities. The temperature must be exact, for if the silver is left even the slightest moment too long in the flames, it will be destroyed. Silver is approved as “fine” only after it has been tested and purified. Paul wants Timothy’s devotion to God and His Word to be 100 percent pure, even purer than the finest silver. He wants him to know and handle the Word of truth with purity. Timothy must be spiritually tested and approved to produce something purer than even the finest silver. A purity that only comes from the Lord.

Teachers and Christians are put to the test by the refiner’s fire in many ways. The fire not only purifies, but it also proves authenticity and allegiance. Along with Timothy, we are tested. Testing grows our understanding of God’s Word as it proves and confirms our faith (1 Pt. 1:6-9).

Timothy is to present himself to God as a hard worker, unashamed in his handling of the Word of truth—the gospel. He does not need to be ashamed because he has worked carefully, respectfully, and faithfully to correctly handle the Word of truth. He has also applied it to his own heart and life.

Timothy must bravely preach the gospel and stay clear of the passing fashion, current popular doctrine, fruitless babble, and the godless frittering of the false teachers. Further, he must consider his hearers, carefully presenting the truth in a way that can be easily understood and received by those entrusted to his care. The Greek verb orthotomeō in 2 Timothy 2:15 is translated “rightly handling”, which means to “cut straight.” He should not shy away from hard or sensitive topics; he must be a straight shooter. Jonathan Edwards writes, “The word of God, which is in itself sharper than any two-edged sword, ought not to be sheathed by its ministers, but so used that its sharp edges may have their full effect, even to the dividing asunder soul and spirit, joints, and marrow.”