"Orthotamaeo" is Greek for "rightly dividing", meaning to cut in a straight line. Paul was a tent maker and no stranger to making precise straight cuts, otherwise his tents would have gaping holes in them.
When he was imprisoned for the second time in Rome, he wrote young Timothy, instructing him to make a straight cut when separating the gospels found in scripture. Those who fail to heed this warning, risk falling into error as did Hymanaeus and Philetus. (2 Timothy 2:17-18) Not rightly dividing will lead to "profane and vain babblings" that will eat like a "canker" and "overthrow" of the "faith of some".
"The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" can be used to make a straight cut and defeat our enemies during spiritual attacks. But "rightly dividing the word of truth" is vital, so we do not use our sword carelessly. If we swing it wildly, we are likely to harm ourselves and others.
Paul uses the ''armor of God'' as an allegory for the equipment worn by Roman soldiers. Their equipment was designed for physical warfare. Our equipment is designed for spiritual warfare.
As Orthodontists are skilled in making teeth straight, we must be skilled with our "sword" to cut straight the word of truth.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
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