ORTHOTOMY

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.

Paul writes to the young pastor Timothy and exhorts him to "rightly divide" the word of truth.
From this verse we obtain the concept of Orthotomy.
"Rightly divide" is the translation of a compound Greek word. Its root is orthotomeo, a coumpound of ortho- straight, and tomoteros- from temno- to cut.
Strong's definition succinctly puts it as, "to make a straight cut, that is, (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message): - rightly divide.
The simple truth is the Bible is addressed to specific peoples. It is God's word to all mankind, however all verses and all promises in those verses are not to all people. This truth is universally understood in the divisions we call the "Old Testament" and the "New Testament." When Paul wrote to Timothy these headings did not exist.
The Dispensation of the Mystery is wholly dependent upon discerning the differences:
-between the covenant of Jehovah with the nation of Israel and the gospel of grace to all nations
-between Israel and the Church
-between Law and Grace
-before the cross and after the Resurrection

Orthotomy is rightly dividing the Bible into the divisions which God has chosen to make in His dealings with men. The Bible calls these divisions Economies (oikonomia) or "Dispensations".
Ephesians 3:1-5 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

This is the dipsensation of the Church today: the dispensation of the grace of God. Rightly dividing the word of God requires us to understand this truth and apply it to all Scripture as we study and teach.