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Avoiding Superficial Understanding of Complex Biblical Doctrines in Teaching

The New Testament frequently warns against superficial or erroneous teaching, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine and mature understanding. The author of Hebrews admonishes believers to move beyond elementary instruction and "press on to maturity," rather than repeatedly laying the foundation of basic principles [1]. This implies a progression in understanding that avoids remaining at a superficial level.

The Apostle James issues a stern caution to those who aspire to teach, stating, "Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment" [3]. This highlights the significant responsibility and potential pitfalls associated with teaching, suggesting that a superficial approach could lead to severe consequences. Similarly, the author of Hebrews expresses concern that some believers, who by that time "ought to be teachers," still require instruction in the "basic principles of God’s word" and need "milk, not solid food" [5]. This indicates a failure to develop a deeper understanding of doctrine.

False doctrines are consistently portrayed as destructive and unprofitable. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists several characteristics of false doctrines, noting they are "destructive to faith," "hateful to God," and "unprofitable and vain" [2]. Such teachings are to be avoided by ministers, saints, and all people [2]. The wicked are depicted as loving and believing false doctrines, and those who teach them are not to be countenanced [2]. John Gill, in his commentary on 1 Timothy 6:3, explains that "if any man teach otherwise" refers to a doctrine different from what the apostle had taught, such as false teachers who despised government or encouraged disobedience [11]. He also notes that "divers and strange doctrines" can refer to the variety of legalistic rites, traditions, or human doctrines that contrast with the singular, uniform doctrine of Scripture [7].

Teachers of false doctrine often employ flattery and deceptive tactics. Torrey's Topical Textbook observes that false prophets and teachers use flattery [4]. Paul warns against those who "teach differently" or introduce new methods of teaching for the sake of ambition [6]. These individuals "speak perverse things" and "deceive many" [2]. John Gill, commenting on Proverbs 19:27, interprets the instruction to "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction" as a warning against the counsel of bad men or the doctrine of false teachers, specifically mentioning doctrines of the Church of Rome concerning Scripture, merit, and indulgences [13].

The New Testament calls for diligence in discerning and adhering to sound doctrine. Paul urges Timothy to "Hold fast the form of sound words" [10]. Gill clarifies that "words" here refer to doctrines, emphasizing that while specific terminology might evolve, the underlying truths should be tenaciously upheld, especially when changes aim to undermine those truths [10]. The epistle to the Hebrews encourages believers to be "looking diligently" to prevent anyone from falling "of the grace of God," which Gill interprets as a call for church officers and members to watch over one another's principles and practices, guarding against false doctrines and immoral lives [12].

The goal of Christian teaching is not merely to impart information but to foster spiritual maturity and a deep, abiding understanding of God's truth. Calvin, in his commentary on Isaiah, notes that teaching doctrine can be useless and provoke ridicule among those who are "children, not in malice, but in understanding" [8]. This underscores the need for teaching that moves beyond superficiality to cultivate genuine comprehension and spiritual growth. The New Covenant promise, where people will not need to teach their neighbor to "know the Lord," does not negate the need for external ministry but rather points to an internal, spiritual knowledge that transcends mere instruction [9].

Sources

  1. Hebrews “Hebrews 6:1 (NASB) — Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Doctrines, False — Destructive to faith -- 2Ti 2:18. Hateful to God -- Re 2:14,15. Unprofitable and vain -- Tit 3:9; Heb 13:9. Should be avoided by Ministers. -- 1Ti 1:4; 6:20. Saints. -- Eph 4:14; Col 2:8. All men. -- Jer 23:16; 29:8. The wicked love -- 2Ti 4:3,4. The wicked given up to believe -- 2Th 2:11. Teachers of Not to be countenanced. -- 2Jo 1:10. Should be avoided. -- Ro 16:17,18. Bring reproach on religion. -- 2Pe 2:2. Speak perverse things. -- Ac 20:30. Attract many. -- 2Pe 2:2. Deceive many. -- Mt 24:5. Shall abound in the latter days. -- 1Ti 4:1. Perver”
  3. James “Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. -- James 3:1”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Flattery — Saints should not used -- Job 32:21,22. Ministers should not use -- 1Th 2:5. The wicked use, to Others. -- Ps 5:9; 12:2. Themselves. -- Ps 36:2. Hypocrites use, to God. -- Ps 78:36. Those in authority. -- Da 11:34. False prophets and teachers use -- Eze 12:24; Ro 16:18. Wisdom, a preservative against -- Pr 4:5. Worldly advantage obtained by -- Da 11:21,22. Seldom gains respect -- Pr 28:23. Avoid those given to -- Pr 20:19. Danger of -- Pr 7:21-23; 20:5. Punishment of -- Job 17:5; Ps 12:3. Exemplified Woman of Tekoah. -- 2Sa 14:17,20. Absalom. -- 2Sa 15:2-6”
  5. Hebrews “Hebrews 5:12 (BSB) — Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!”
  6. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 4.4: is a compound, and, therefore, may either be translated, “to teach differently,” or after a new method, or, “to teach a different doctrine.” The translation given by Erasmus, ( sectari ,) “ to follow,” does not satisfy me; because it might be understood to apply to the hearers. Now Paul means those who, for the sake of ambition, brought forward a new doctrine. If we read it, “to teach differently,” the meaning will be more extensive; for by this expression he will forbid Timothy to permit any new forms of teaching to be introduce”
  7. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”
  8. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 16.13: mistake to connect this statement of the Prophet with that passage in the Apostle Peter, as if Isaiah represented God as desirous to obtain disciples who had divested themselves of all pride, and were like infants lately weaned; for the Prophet, on the contrary, loudly complains, that to “teach doctrine” is useless, and merely provokes ridicule among stupid and senseless persons, who are “children, not in malice, but in understanding,” as Paul speaks. ( 1 Corinthians 14:20 .) From what follows it will more clearly appear that, since they wer”
  9. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 8:11: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour,.... The Alexandrian copy reads, "citizen"; that is, fellow citizen; and so the Syriac and Arabic versions: "and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord": this is not to be understood, so as to set aside the external and public ministry of the word, which is a standing ordinance of God under the Gospel dispensation; or even the, private instructions of saints one to another, in Christian conversation, whereby they may build up one another in their most holy faith; but the sense is, that men should not only teach, ”
  10. 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 1:13: Hold fast the form of sound words,.... By "words" are meant, not mere words, but doctrines; for the servants of the Lord should not strive about words, to no profit, or be too tenacious of them. Indeed when words have long obtained, and have been very useful to convey just ideas of truth to the mind, they are not to be easily parted with, though they are not syllabically expressed in Scripture, unless other and better words can be substituted in their room; and especially they are to be tenaciously abode by, when the apparent design by dropping or changing them is ”
  11. 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 6:3: If any man teach otherwise,.... Or another doctrine, as the Syriac version renders it; a doctrine different from what the apostle had now taught, concerning the duty of servants to their masters; as did the false teachers, who despised dominion or government; not only civil government, and so spoke evil of rulers and magistrates; and church government, and therefore reviled the apostles, elders, and pastors of churches; but family government, and encouraged disobedience to parents and masters; see Pe2 2:10 or teach another doctrine, from that of the Bible, of Chris”
  12. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 12:14: Looking diligently,.... Acting the part of bishops, or overseers, as the word signifies; and so this exhortation either respects officers of the church of the Hebrews, whose business it was more especially to inspect into the principles and practices of the members of it, and take care that they did not imbibe false doctrines, or live immoral lives; or rather the several members of the church, whose business it is to watch over one another, since this epistle seems to be written to the whole church. Lest any man fail of the grace of God; not the free favour and lo”
  13. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 19:27: Cease, my son, to hear the instruction,.... The counsel of bad men, or the doctrine of false teachers. The words are spoken either by Solomon to his son; or by Wisdom, that is, Christ, to everyone of his children, to beware of false prophets, and take heed what they hear; see Mat 7:15; such as the doctrines of the church of Rome; concerning the Scriptures, forbidding the people to read them; setting unwritten traditions upon a level with them, and making the pope an infallible interpreter of them; concerning merit, works of supererogation, indulgences, pardons, pen”
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