Original Word: ὀρθοτομέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: orthotomeó
Pronunciation: or-tho-to-MEH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (or-thot-om-eh'-o)
KJV: rightly divide
NASB: accurately handling
Word Origin: [from a compound of G3717 (ὀρθός - straight) and the base of G5114 (τομώτερος - sharper)]

1. to make a straight cut
2. (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message)

rightly divide.

From a compound of orthos and the base of tomoteros, to make a straight cut, i.e. (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message) -- rightly divide.

see GREEK orthos

see GREEK tomoteros

3718 orthotoméō(from temnō, "to cut" and 3717 /orthós, "straight") – properly, cut straight (on a straight line), i.e. "rightly divide" (correctly apportion).

Word Origin
from orthos and temnó (to cut)
Definition
to cut straight
NASB Translation
accurately handling (1).

STRONGS NT 3718: ὀρθοτομέω

ὀρθοτομέω, ὀρθοτόμω; (ὀρθοτομος cutting straight, and this from ὀρθός and τέμνω);

1. to cut straight: τάς ὁδούς, to cut straight ways, i. e. to proceed by straight paths, hold a straight course, equivalent to to do right (for יִשֵּׁר), Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 11:5 (viam secare, Vergil Aen. 6, 899).

2. dropping the idea of cutting, to make straight and smooth; Vulg.rectetracto, to handle aright: τόν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας, i. e. to teach the truth correctly and directly, 2 Timothy 2:15; τόν ἀληθῆ λόγον, Eustathius, opuscc., p. 115, 41. (Not found elsewhere (except in ecclesiastical writings (Winer's Grammar, 26); e. g. constt. apost. 7, 31 ἐν τῷ τοῦ κυρίου δόγμασιν; cf. Suicer ii. 508f). Cf. καινοτομέω, to cut new veins in mining; dropping the notion of cutting, to make something new, introduce new things, make innovations or changes, etc.)

Biblical Setting

Paul employs ὀρθοτομοῦντα once, in 2 Timothy 2:15, charging Timothy, “Present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth”. The verb forms part of a triad of imperatives (be diligent, present yourself approved, rightly handle) that frame Timothy’s pastoral calling within a context of false teachers (2 Timothy 2:14–19).

Old Testament Background

In the Septuagint the cognate appears in Proverbs 3:6 and 11:5, describing the LORD “making straight” paths. The imagery of straight cutting or straight road-making stands behind Paul’s choice of the term: God’s revelation is a roadway that must not be twisted; the minister is a road-builder who removes obstruction and confusion so travelers may reach their destination unhindered.

Exegetical Implications

1. Accuracy: Timothy is to align every doctrine, illustration, and application with the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).
2. Precision: The term rejects sloppy synthesis; Scripture must not be amalgamated with speculative myths (2 Timothy 4:3–4).
3. Integrity: “Approved” (δόκιμος) speaks of metal tested by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13). The straight-cutting worker submits himself and his message to divine scrutiny.
4. Contrast: “Rightly handling” stands opposite “wrangling about words” (2 Timothy 2:14) and “irreverent chatter” (2 Timothy 2:16), anchoring ministry in objective truth rather than rhetorical showmanship.

Theological Significance

• Revelation’s coherence: Cutting straight presumes Scripture’s internal harmony (John 10:35). Apparent tensions are reconciled through careful comparison (2 Peter 3:16).
• Sufficiency of Scripture: Because the word is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), it contains everything necessary for salvation and godliness; the minister’s task is to expose, not supplement, that sufficiency.
• Christ-centered interpretation: All Scripture points to Christ (Luke 24:27). Straight cutting consistently directs hearers to the crucified and risen Lord.

Historical Reception

Early Fathers such as Chrysostom saw in 2 Timothy 2:15 a mandate for grammatical-historical exegesis against allegorical excess. The Reformers cited the verse to defend vernacular translations and literal interpretation. Evangelical scholarship continues to view it as the charter for sound hermeneutics.

Practical Ministry Application

1. Sermon crafting: Outline passages within their literary and canonical context, resisting proof-texting.
2. Doctrinal formulation: Derive theology inductively from the text rather than imposing systems upon it.
3. Discipleship: Train believers to observe, interpret, and apply Scripture personally (Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 17:11).
4. Polemics: Refute error with patient exposition, embodying both firmness and gentleness (2 Timothy 2:24–26).
5. Personal devotion: The worker himself must feast on the word before feeding others (Ezra 7:10).

Warnings against Deviations

• Mishandling breeds shame: teachers judged at the Bema Seat (James 3:1; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
• Twisting invites destruction: “the unstable twist [Paul’s letters]… to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16).
• Doctrinal drift harms the flock (Acts 20:29–30; 1 Timothy 4:1).

Encouragement for Faithful Workers

God’s approval supplies present courage and future reward (1 Corinthians 4:1–5). Straight-cutting labor is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58) and bears fruit in converted sinners and mature saints (Colossians 1:28–29).

Key Cross-References for Study

Nehemiah 8:8; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:6; Isaiah 40:3–5; Matthew 7:13–14; Luke 24:27; Acts 17:11; Acts 20:27–32; 1 Corinthians 3:10–15; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:14–17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23–25.

ορθοτομει ορθοτομή ορθοτομουντα ορθοτομούντα ὀρθοτομοῦντα ορθωθήσεται ωρθώθη ωρθώμενος ώρθωται orthotomounta orthotomoûntaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts