53-1. The preaching of the Word is an ordinance of God for the salvation of men. Serious attention should be paid to the manner in which it is done. The minister should apply himself to it with diligence and prove himself a “worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

DIGEST : The current text dates to the changes proposed and adopted at the Third General Assembly (M3GA, 3-69, p. 82.) Closely similar wording dates back to the 1786 draft of the PCUSA Directory.

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISONS :
1. PCA 1973, Adopted text, Directory for Worship 6-1 [M1GA, Appendix, p. 156]
2. Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, DfW Proposed text, p. 65.
The preaching of the Word is an ordinance of God for the salvation of men, and serious attention should be paid to the manner in which it is done. The minister should apply himself to it with diligence, and prove himself a "workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

1, PCUS 1933, DfW VI, §322.
2. PCUS 1929, DfW VI, §322.
The preaching of the Word is an ordinance of God for the salvation of men, and serious attention should be paid to the manner in which it is done. The minister should apply himself to it with diligence, and prove himself a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1. PCUS 1927, DfW VI-1, §322.
2. PCUS 1894, DfW VI-1
The preaching of the word being an institution of God for the salvation of men, great attention should be paid to the manner of performing it. Every minister ought to give diligent application to it; and endeavor to prove himself a workman that needeth not to be ashamed; rightly dividing the word of truth.

PCUSA 1789, DfW VI-1
The preaching of the word being an institution of God for the salvation of men, great attention should be paid to the manner of performing it.—Every minister ought to give diligent application to it; and endeavour to prove himself a workman that needeth not to be ashamed; rightly dividing the word of truth.

PCUSA 1786, DfW 2d draft
The Preaching of the Word, being an institution of God for the salvation of men, should be so performed, that the workman need not be ashamed, but may save himself and those that hear him.

COMMENTARY:
Morton H. Smith, Commentary on the Book of Church Order, 6th edition, 2007, p. 423.
That preaching is an ordinance of God for the salvation of men is the clear teaching of Scripture. Paul said, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel . . (I Cor. 1:17a), and again," ... it was the God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe" (I Cor. 1:21b).
Since this is the God ordained means for evangelism and the edification of his church, it demands the very best efforts to do it aright. This, of course, is the reason for the educational requirements of the PCA.