The phrase "word of truth" is used in this passage. When I was a Protestant I would have said it was about the Bible. but what is Saint Paul talking about?
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.
In the context of the passage, Saint Paul is giving instructions to Timothy on the right approach to apologetics (See here: Study to show yourself approved). Most of the passage in this context were about developing the virtues.
Is Paul talking here about studying the Bible or is he talking about something else? In the context of history, the New Testament didn't even exist. Timothy knew Paul personally and had heard him preach and teach. If Paul was telling Timothy to study the Bible this would make no sense.
How is the phrase used in other places in the New Testament?
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
In that passage the phrase refers to the preaching of the Apostle - see the "that you heard" part? Paul didn't read out of the New Testament when he preached the Gospel. There was no New Testament to read out of. Neither did Paul open up one of his own letters and read it to them. The word of God was in his mouth.
In this instance, it was the preaching that was received orally by the people in the first century. They are told in the 2 Timothy verse to use the message that they were given orally and handed down by word of mouth. Today we have both the words of the Scriptures and the traditions of the church which preserved the practices.
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