BE DILIGENT!

While it is not used exceedingly often, “diligence” is an important word in the New Testament. Without hyperbole, one could accurately say that understanding the biblical use of diligence is essential to comprehending the Christian’s relationship to the Lord. By studying this word and reflecting upon the passages in which it is found, we can learn a lot about how God wants us to act in our walk of faith.

God created the world and revealed Himself to us primarily by words that He spoke:

NAS  Genesis 1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

NAS  Psalm 33:9 For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.

NAS Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

Obviously but not to be taken lightly, the Bible is a book of words. The importance of the meaning and usage of biblical words cannot be overemphasized.

The verb form of diligence in the Greek text is σπουδάζω, pronounced spoo-dahd-zo. The noun form is σπουδή; in English spoo-day. Consider the following connotations (various English words by which the Greek word may be translated) of the Greek verb and noun from Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich, “BDAG,” the world’s leading Greek lexicon (a lexicon is a specialized dictionary, specialized in the sense of focusing on one language, for example, Greek lexicons, Hebrew lexicons, Spanish lexicons, etc.):

Verb – [BDAG] σπουδάζω (spoo-dahd-zo) 1. to proceed quickly, hurry, hasten (2 Ti 4:9, 21; Tit 3:12); 2. to speed up a process, expedite; 3. to be especially conscientious in discharging an obligation, be zealous/eager, take pains, make every effort, be conscientious (Gal 2:10; Eph 4:3; 1 Th 2:17; 2 Ti 2:15; Hb 4:11; 2 Pt 1:10; 3:14).

Noun – [BDAG] σπουδή (spoo-day) 1. swiftness of movement or action, haste, speed (Mk 6:25; Lk 1:39); 2. earnest commitment in discharge of an obligation or experience of a relationship, eagerness, earnestness, diligence, willingness, zeal (Ro 12:8, 11; 2 Cor 7:11, 12;

8:7, 8, 16; Hb 6:11; 2 Pt 1:5; Ju 1:3).

Adjective – [BDAG] σπουδαῖος (spoo-die-ahs) – pert. to being conscientious in discharging a duty or obligation, eager, zealous, earnest, diligent (2 Cor 8:17, 22a; 2 Ti 1:17 ).

Adverb – [BDAG] σπουδαίως (spoo-die-ohs) 1. pert. to being quick in doing someth., with haste, w. focus on importance of what is done; comp. σπουδαιοτέρως (spoo-die-stare-ohs) with special urgency (Phil 2:28). 2. pert. to being conscientious in discharging a duty or obligation, diligently, earnestly, zealously 2 Ti 1:17; Tit 3:13;. urge strongly to be diligent Lk 7:4).

I believe it is easy to see from this lexical overview the intensity of the Greek word for diligence. Notice especially the dimensions of haste and eagerness in these definitions. When the verses listed above in which these words are found are studied (which you are encouraged to do), there can be no question that God desires for us to be fully and enthusiastically committed to all forms of expression of our faith.

In every course I teach at Southern California Seminary I stress this fact, beginning in the first class with a purposeful look at 2 Timothy 2:15 (the apostle Paul uses diligence more than any other biblical writer). Second Timothy 2:15 makes prominent use of σπουδάζω. It is noteworthy that σπουδάζω in its imperatival form is given even added emphasis by its placement as the first word in the sentence (far more so than in English, word placement is important and enlightening in Greek, and to a slightly lesser extent in Hebrew). It is most convicting, is it not, to ponder the full meaning of this significant word when it is being applied to the study of God’s Word. See how our English translations have rendered the Greek word σπουδάζω:

NAS 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent (σπούδασον, the imperatival form of σπουδάζω) to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

NKJ 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

ESV 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

NET 2 Timothy 2:15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.

KJV 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

NIV 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

NLT 2 Timothy 2:15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

I think when we view these different takes on the Greek word by our English interpreters, we’d agree “diligent” is certainly an excellent translation. In working with this word study over the years, however, I particularly like the rendering of the ESV and NIV’s “do your best.” When you factor in the heavy emphasis on haste, as seen above, and the contexts of the N.T. usages are studiously considered, I have come to believe the best, most biblically accurate definition of σπουδάζω is “be eager to do your best.” From even an abbreviated word study such as this, as well as from many other similar examples of discipleship where this particular word is not found but strongly implied, I think it is convincingly demonstrated that we are to be zealous Christians – extremists even – in carrying out the work of the Lord.

Needless to say, this purposeful earnestness should never be seen as a burden. Rather, I would suggest, it should be joyful. Consider: when we are fully committed, earnestly pursuing a worthwhile goal, eager to do our best, are we not naturally joyful?

CONCLUSION

“Be diligent” is a command, not just to Timothy, but to all Christians. It is unconditional. In all we do for God, including our studies in His Word, we are to be eager, to hasten, to do our best. If we truly love the Lord and are sincerely grateful for all He has done for us in salvation, how can we do any less? As we enter into this New Year, and as we live each day we’ve been given – σπούδασον! (spoo-dahd-zon, the imperatival form). God in His Word commands us all to be diligent! And regardless of what many seem to think, Biblical commands are not conditional, not dependent on our circumstances. God commands us to be diligent in every circumstance at all times with no exceptions.

EXPLANATION

I hope you do not think this particular study is too technical. It is difficult for me not to anticipate that being a natural reaction to at least some of these “Professor’s Corners.” As a seminary professor, I recognize it is my job description to be technical. J I have had people ask me over my years of preaching if my frequent use of Greek and Hebrew is really necessary in church. I’ll have more to say about my answer in future studies, but for now I ask you to consider these facts: (1) the Bible was not written in English; it was written in Greek and Hebrew (and a little Aramaic); (2) it is not just a quip but a fact to always be remembered that something is lost in the translation. Please be assured, all of our English translations are superb, but that does not change this fact. Therefore, the closer we get to the original languages, the better. Part of my teaching mission statement is to teach as I myself want to be taught. That is, I want all the information I can get. I hope you feel the same. Next week I will explain more fully the importance of Word Studies, and hopefully encourage you to begin to do one yourself!

– Professor Thomas A. Rohm