All Scripture has information for the saints today, but not all Scripture is for the saint’s practice. The Greek language uses two different words to describe these types of information. The first, often translated teaching, is referring to information that is to be learned but not to be practiced, where the other word means doctrine – that which is to be practiced.

Teaching – διδασκαλία (Information to be learned but not practiced)

  • Teachers teaching the precepts of man, Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7; Colossians 2:22
    1. The people draw near with their mouth and honor with their lips, but are far from Him with their hearts
    2. They reverence Him in vain
  • “Precepts” is used exclusively of the teachings of men. – A royal or Imperial ordinance
    1. Touch not, taste not, handle not, Colossians 2:22
    2. The elementary principles of the world system, Colossians 2:20
  • Have an appearance of wisdom in self made religion and self abasement and mistreating the body, Colossians 2:23
  • Teachings of Demons, 1 Timothy 4:1-6
    1. Speaking lies
    2. Having a conscience seared
    3. Forbidding to marry
    4. Abstaining from meats
    5. In contrast to good (well) teachings
  • The Time will come when men will not endure healthy teaching, 2 Timothy 4:3
    1. They will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts
    2. They will turn from the truth to myths
  • Within the Church
    1. Used of information that is to be learned but not practiced
    2. A separate gift from a Pastor, Romans 12:7 (Pastor is both a shepherd and a teacher)
    3. Information written before for our learning, Romans 15:4
    4. Pastors who labors in the Word and teaching, 1 Timothy 5:17
    5. Scripture is profitable for teachings, reproof, correction and child training, 2 Timothy 3:16
      1. Teaching – properly handling information that is to be learned but no practiced
      2. Reproof, Correction, Child Training – Information that is to be learned and practiced.
  • When used for doctrine it is very unstable – changes a lot, Ephesians 4:14
    1. Uses the trickery of men
    2. Uses craftiness in deceitful scheming of men.
  • Healthy Teaching
    1. Teaching that stands against healthy teaching, 1 Timothy 1:10
      1. From those seeking to be law teachers, 1 timothy 1:7
      2. From those who turn aside to emptiness, 1 Timothy 1:6
    2. Healthy teaching is according to the Gospel of the Happy God, which was brought through Paul, 1 Timothy 1:11
  • When used properly will show honor to God rather than being blasphemies (false statements being said or attributed to teaching), 1 timothy 6:1
  • Teaching that is according to godliness, 1 Timothy 6:3
    1. One who teaching contract to healthy words is proud, knowing nothing
    2. Teaching that is against healthy words brings debates and disputes by which comes strife, envy, blasphemy, and malignantly evil suspicions, 1 Timothy 6:4
    3. Supposing that gain is godliness, 1 Timothy 6:5
  • Contrary to those who say they know God but their actions deny Him, Titus 1:16
  • Teaching older men to be sober, serious, having a saved frame of mind, healthy in the faith, love, and patience, Titus 2:1, 2
  • Teaching the older women to also be reverent in their behavior, not slandering, not given to much wind, teachings of what is good in appearance, Titus 2:3-5
    1. Encouraging the younger women to be fond of their husbands and children
    2. Encouraging the younger women to have a saved from a mind, pure, working at home, good, subject to their own husband
  • Teaching young men, Titus 2:6 – 8
    1. To have a saved frame of mind
    2. Showing a pattern of good works in teaching, integrity, sincere, incorruptible, healthy words beyond reproach
  • Different from Doctrine, Titus 1:9
    1. Holding fast the Doctrine of
      [the] faithful word
    2. Convicting by healthy teaching those who oppose