Doctrine (1319) (didaskalia from didasko from dáo = to know or teach) is either the act of teaching or the thing taught and in this use denotes doctrine or what is taught.
Doctrine is from Latin doctrina in turn from doceo = to teach.
Didaskalia - 21x in 21v - Matt 15:9; 7.7" class="scriptRef">Mark 7:7; Rom 12:7; 15:4; Eph 4:14; Col 2:22; 10" class="scriptRef">1 Tim 1:10; 4:1, 6, 3" class="scriptRef">13, 16" class="scriptRef">16; 5:17; 6:1, 3; 2 Tim 3:10, 16; 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1, 7, 10
The term doctrine in Scripture
is broader than a simple reference to information passed on from one person to another or from one generation to the next. Christianity is a religion founded on a message of good news rooted in the significance of the life of Jesus Christ. In Scripture, then, doctrine refers to the entire body of essential theological truths that define and describe that message (1Ti 1:10; 4:16; 6:3; Titus 1:9). The message includes historical facts, such as those regarding the events of the life of Jesus Christ (1Cor 11:23). But it is deeper than biographical facts alone. As J. Gresham Machen pointed out years ago, Jesus’ death is an integral historical fact but it is not doctrine. Jesus’ death for sins (1Cor 15:3) is doctrine. (Sound) Doctrine, then, is scriptural teaching on theological truths." (parenthesis added) (Elwell, W. A., & Elwell, W. A. The Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - online - an excellent resource)
Not all doctrine is good for Jesus addressing the hypocritical Pharisees and teachers quoted Isaiah's prophecy (Isa 29:13) in which God said to Israel that
"IN VAIN (uselessly) DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING (didache) AS DOCTRINES (didaskalia) THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'" (Mt 15:19)
Paul gave a similar warning to the church at Colossae noting that commands like "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!"
(which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)-- in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? (Col 2:22-note)
The hypocrisy of ancient and contemporary Israel consisted of making a show of commitment to God while at the same time giving human tradition precedence over God’s Word.
Doctrine is critically important for here we see that Jesus condemned their entire worship of God which was founded on unsound, unhealthy doctrine. Jesus' message gives a powerful warning to every church in every generation.
Doctrine is important! When the precepts of men are taught as if they were the doctrines of God, man’s wisdom is elevated above God’s-which is the very root of all sin. It was Satan’s inducing Eve to trust her own wisdom above God’s that led to the Fall and to every subsequent sin and evil in the world. It follows that every believer must "examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good (and) abstain from every form of evil" (1Th 5 :21, 22-note), paying careful heed to all that is taught in their local church. Are the praise choruses doctrinally sound or do they simply sound good and make us "feel good"?
Warren Wiersbe observes that
Far too many songs not only teach no doctrine, but many even teach false doctrines. A singer has no more right to sing a lie than a teacher has to teach a lie. (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor)
Are the pulpit messages from the heart of God or are they geared to tickle the ears? Do the video series the church uses in Sunday School actually use Scripture as the foundational doctrine or do they only give token acquiescence to the Word of Truth? Is their emphasis on God's psychology and His Words of Life or is the emphasis on humanistic psychology?
Don't be judgmental but at least be willing to examine what is being sung, preached and taught in your church against the plumbline of Biblically sound doctrine. The vitally and integrity of the church of Jesus Christ depends on a continual "intravenous infusion" of sound doctrine.
Paul emphasizes the danger of false doctrine to the Ephesian church writing that as the result of sound teaching and equipping of the saints they would be built up, attaining unity, knowledge of Christ and spiritual maturity and would
"no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine (didaskalia), by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming." (Eph 4:12-note)
You can mark it down -- If you are not anchored in sound doctrine based solely on the Word of Truth, you will be vulnerable to counterfeit truth. Spiritual leaders of the church must uncompromisingly minister the Word of Truth, sound doctrine, to the saints in the church so the saints can minister this life giving Word in a world dead it trespasses and sins. Does this description accurately describe your church?
Vance Havner had a timely word for the modern church when he remarked that
"Every Christian is commissioned, for every Christian is a missionary. It has been said that the Gospel is not merely something to come to church to hear but something to go from the church to tell—and we are all appointed to tell it. It has also been said, ‘Christianity began as a company of lay witnesses; it has become a professional pulpitism, financed by lay spectators!’ Nowadays we hire a church staff to do ‘full-time Christian work,’ and we sit in church on Sunday to watch them do it. Every Christian is meant to be in full-time Christian service ... There is indeed a special ministry of pastors, teachers and evangelists—but for what? ... For the perfecting of the saints for their ministry."
This is sound doctrine!
Paul warns that
"the Spirit explicitly (distinctly and expressly) says that in later times (began at the Christ first coming and continues to His glorious return, cf He 1:2-note; 1Peter 1:20-note) some will fall away from (aphistemi stand away from source of the Greek noun apostasia - defection) the faith, paying attention (not just listening but continually paying close attention to, assenting to and finally clinging) to deceitful (deluding, seducing) spirits and doctrines (didaskalia) of demons (not doctrines about demons but inspired by them)." (1Ti 4:1)
False doctrine is not simply aberrant human teaching. Deceiving spirits, serving Satan, the deceiver and father of lies, are the invisible forces behind the latter-day departure from the faith. To sit under the teaching of doctrine that is not sound but which contradicts the truth of Scripture is to be taught by demons, and to put one’s very mind and soul in both temporal and eternal jeopardy. The ultimate aim of the demonic doctrine is to bring men and women to follow Satan, by devious, rather than open, means, using false teaching promulgated by means of the hypocrisy of liars.
Paul explains to Timothy that in warning the saints about errors that were to come (context = 1Ti 4:1, 2, 3, 4, 5) he would
be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished (continually being reared on, trained) on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine (didaskalia) which (he had) been following. (1Ti 4:6)
Paul like a good coach in sports continually emphasized the "basics", here reminding us that continual feeding on the doctrine of Scripture is essential to the spiritual health of all Christians but especially of spiritual leaders. Only by reading the Word, studying it, memorizing it, meditating on it, and mastering its contents in real life can a pastor fulfill his mandate.
John MacArthur comments on the "nourishing" effect of sound doctrine writing that
"This quality is basic to excellence in ministry, but is sadly lacking in the church today. Much contemporary preaching is weak and produces weak churches because it reflects a lack of biblical knowledge, and a minimal commitment to the study of Scripture. For many pastors, study is an unwelcome intrusion into their schedule. It interrupts the routine of administrative tasks and meetings with which they occupy themselves. They study only enough to make a sermon, not to feed their own hearts and think deeply and carefully on divine truth. The result is impotent sermons that fall on hard hearts and have little impact." (MacArthur, John: 1Timothy Moody Press)
In the same chapter of first Timothy, Paul again exhorted his young disciple Timothy writing that
"Until I come, (continually, as your habitual practice) give (careful, close) attention (constantly absorbed in, continually devoted) to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching (didaskalia)" (1Ti 4:13)
Ministering the Word was not something Timothy was to do after he had done other things but was to be the most important thing he did. Timothy was to make sure the churches church leaders read the Scriptures in the meetings of the church, that exhortation including explanation and application (cf, expositional preaching), should continue to accompany the reading of the Word and that there be systematic instruction in the doctrines of the faith.
"This is the basis of Christian belief. “Experience” is quick and easily gotten, but doctrine takes time and a great deal of effort. Yet doctrinally weak believers are immature believers and the pastor who does not give attention to doctrine does not exhibit a love for his people." (Dobson, E G, Charles Feinberg, E Hindson, Woodrow Kroll, H L. Wilmington: KJV Bible Commentary: Nelson)
For the fourth time in chapter four Paul wraps up his charge to Timothy commanding him to
Pay close attention (present imperative -continually keep paying attention) to yourself (note the order) and to your teaching (didaskalia); (make it your habit to continually stay by the side of, "stick to them and see them through" King adds that “Stickability is an essential quality for effective leadership.”) persevere in these things (those things noted in the preceding paragraph directly above); for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. (1Ti 4:16)
Paul's emphasis here is on the This emphasizes the importance of the personal life in any servant of Christ. If his life is wrong, he might be orthodox in doctrine, but it is of no avail.
Ralph Earle comments that
"No matter how straight a person may be in his doctrine or how effective he may be in his teaching, if there is a flaw in his inner or outer life, it will ruin him. This is where many ministers have failed tragically. While he is watching over others, the pastor must keep an eye on himself.”
A. W. Pink has well said that
Service becomes a snare and an evil if it be allowed to crowd out worship and the cultivation of one’s own spiritual life.
The "salvation" Paul refers to is not a reference to justification by works but to sanctification (see discussion of Three Tenses of Salvation), the Christian’s daily walk of faith. Timothy proved faithful to practice what he Paul had called him to do, Paul noting that he had "followed my teaching (didaskalia)." (2Ti 3:10-note)
One of the best known uses of didaskalia is found in 2 Timothy Paul declaring that
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable (beneficial, yielding good return) for teaching, (didaskalia) for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." (2Ti 3:16-note)
Wiersbe's succinct summarizes this verse as
profitable for doctrine (what is right), for reproof (what is not right), for correction (how to get right), and for instruction in righteousness (how to stay right). A Christian who studies the Bible and applies what he learns will grow in holiness and avoid many pitfalls in this world. (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor)
Doctrine is indispensable to Christianity. Christianity does not exist without it. Paul warns Timothy to focus on preaching the Word for
"the time will come when they will not endure (hold themselves firm against) sound doctrine (didaskalia); but wanting to have their ears tickled (by pleasing and comfortable "doctrine"), they will accumulate (in piles) for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires (who will tell them what they want to hear)." (2Ti 4:3-note)
Paul warned that the day would come when men would make themselves the measure of who and what doctrine would be acceptable.
In Titus Paul gives as one of the key requirements for any man who would be an overseer of the church as a man who is
holding fast (continually strongly clinging or adhering to) the faithful (trustworthy, reliable) word which is in accordance with the teaching (didaskalia) that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (Titus 1:9 - note)
The word used to exhort and refute must be based on doctrine which is not diluted, deleted or distorted. The "teaching" in this context refers to the the spiritually healthful doctrines taught by the Lord Jesus and the apostles and which have been preserved for us in the Scriptures.
Paul tells Timothy to
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. (didaskalia) (1Ti 5:17)
Work here refers
to work to the point of fatigue or exhaustion. It does not stress the amount of work, but rather the effort. A man’s reward from God is proportional to the excellence of his ministry and the effort he puts into it. Excellence combined with diligence mark a man worthy of the highest honor." (MacArthur, John: 1Timothy Moody Press)
Paul writes to the Roman church reminding them that
whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction (didaskalia), that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Ro 15:4-note)
Referring to the Old Testament, Paul emphasizes its importance as "didaskalia" for it contains invaluable doctrine for all ages. And so as we encounter temptations, tribulations, troubles, etc, the Old Testament teaches us to be steadfast, and imparts comfort to our soul. Then instead of sinking under the waves, we are sustained by the hope that the Lord will see us through. The Old Testament truths provide motivation for us to "hang in there" and be encouraged in the midst of the storm as we seek to remain faithful to do God’s will. The Old Testament Scriptures give us hope because in them we see God’s approval of those Old Testament saints who persevered faithfully in spite of opposition and frustration.
As J Vernon McGee so aptly puts it
"You won’t find any hope in the daily newspaper. You won’t find any hope in modern literature. Look at any field and see if you can find any hope. There is none whatsoever. It is dark and dismal when you look out at this world today. My friend, the only place you can find real hope is in the Word of God." (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)
Here in Titus 2:1 as well as in his first epistle to Timothy, Paul clearly associates proper belief (sound doctrine) with right behavior, writing to bond slaves:
"Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine (didaskalia) may not be spoken against." (1Ti 6:1).
The respected Lutheran commentator, R. C. H. Lenski writes
"If a Christian slave dishonored his master in any way by disobedience, by acting disrespectfully, by speaking shamefully of his master, the worst consequence would not be the beating he would receive but the curses he would cause his master to hurl at this miserable slave’s God, his religion, and the teaching he had embraced: “So that is what this new religion teaches its converts!” Instead of bringing honor to the true God and the gospel of his high and holy Name, as every Christian should be anxious to do, this slave would bring about the very opposite, to the devil’s delight." (The Interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians, to the Thessalonians, to Timothy, to Titus, and to Philemon: Augsburg, 1964, p694–95)
The history of the early church reveals that Christian slaves generally commanded a higher price on the slave market than unbelievers. If a master knew that a certain slave on the auction block was a Christian, he would generally be willing to pay more for that slave, since he knew that the slave would serve him faithfully and well. This is high tribute to the Christian faith and the soundness of the doctrine that is according to the glorious gospel! If you were put on the "slave market" so to speak would you "command a higher price?"
Are my actions before my family, in school and at the workplace giving clear testimony to the reality of Christ in me the hope of glory and His power to live as more than a conqueror?
Paul shows the clear connection between sound doctrine and one conduct writing that
"If anyone advocates a different doctrine (heterodidaskaleo), and does not agree with sound (health giving) words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine (didaskalia) conforming to (and leading to) godliness." (1Ti 6:3)
I like the NLT paraphrase which explains that
"the sound, wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ...are the foundation for a godly life."
Note that what you believe does influence how you behave! Be sure you are "eating" healthy spiritual food, the pure milk of God's Word if you desire to be spiritually healthy and vigorous. Doctrine not based on Scripture will always result in an unholy life. Instead of godliness, false teachers will be marked by sin.
Titus 2:2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance (NASB: Lockman)
Greek: presbutas nephalious einai, (PAN) semnous, sophronas, hugiainontas (PAPMPA) te pistei, te agape, te hupomone
Amplified: Urge the older men to be temperate, venerable (serious), sensible, self-controlled, and sound in the faith, in the love, and in the steadfastness and patience [of Christ]. (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
KJV: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
NLT: Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have strong faith and be filled with love and patience. (NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: The old men should be temperate, serious, wise - spiritually healthy through their faith and love and patience. (Phillips: Touchstone)
Wuest: that aged men be temperate [in the use of wine], venerable, self-controlled, sound in the Faith, in the love, in the patience; (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: aged men to be temperate, grave, sober, sound in the faith, in the love, in the endurance;
OLDER MEN ARE TO BE TEMPERATE: presbutas nephalious einai, (PAN): (Lev 19:32; Job 12:12; Ps 92:14; Pr 16:31; Isa 65:20) (1Cor 15:34; 1Th 5:6,8; 1Ti 3:2,11; 1Pet 1:13; 4:7; 5:8)
old men are to be simple in their tastes (BBE)
the elder men be watchful (Geneva)
Tell older men to be sober (GWT)
Older men should be reserved (NJB)
Urge the older men to be temperate, venerable (serious), sensible (Amp)
Older men (4246) (presbutes related to the comparative presbuteros = an older person) means an aged man and in Greek literature sometimes was used of men as young as 50. Presbutes here is not to be understood as holding an ecclesiastical position but as a man older in years.
A church is blessed when it has believers who can say with Paul,
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (see note 2 Timothy 4:7)
and who can pray,
“O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth; and I still declare Thy wondrous deeds” (Ps 71:17). (See Spurgeon's Comment)
Moses was 80 years old when God called him to lead Israel out of bondage in Egypt and to the land of promise and his advanced age did not excuse him from the Lord’s work. At the age of 83—after having traveled some 250,000 miles on horseback, preached more than 40,000 sermons, and produced some 200 books and pamphlets—John Wesley regretted that he was unable to read and write for more than 15 hours a day without his eyes becoming too tired to work. After his 86th birthday, he admitted to an increasing tendency to lie in bed until 5:30 in the morning!
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)