Ensuring Accurate Biblical Examples in Teaching and Preaching
Scripture itself models the standard for accurate teaching. Paul declares himself "a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity" [4], emphasizing truthfulness as foundational to apostolic instruction. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes "sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth" [2], establishing a pattern of careful composition that extends beyond mere eloquence to substantive accuracy.
The Biblical Foundation for Accuracy
Ministers bear responsibility to distinguish God's message from human invention. Adam Clarke warns that preachers must verify "whether it be right" before declaring something God's word, noting that "false doctrines and fallacies without end are foisted on the world" when teachers assume their creed automatically aligns with Scripture [7]. Paul's instruction to Timothy reinforces this: teaching must remain "in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ" [3], not diverge into "different teaching" that contradicts apostolic doctrine.
The pattern of Christ's own ministry establishes the precedent. He "taught out of" Scripture [1], appealing to biblical texts in his confrontations and instruction. Matthew Henry observes that "ministers in their preaching must keep close to the word of God" [6], echoing the apostolic directive that "if any man speak, let him speak as" one delivering God's own message rather than human speculation.
Practical Dimensions of Accuracy
Accurate teaching requires both diligent preparation and spiritual dependence. Clarke's exposition of Luke 9:16 outlines a minister's duty: first receiving the bread of life himself, lifting his soul to God for blessing, then dividing "rightly the word of truth" by giving portions "suited to their capacities and states" [8]. This combines personal study with prayerful reliance on divine illumination.
Paul's example in Corinth demonstrates that accuracy does not require rhetorical flourish. He declared God's testimony "not with excellency of speech" or "arts of rhetoric," recognizing that "the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language" [9]. The substance of truth matters more than the sophistication of delivery.
Timothy receives instruction to be "trained in the words of the faith and of the good teaching" [5], suggesting that accuracy flows from immersion in sound doctrine. Good ministers "put the brethren in remembrance of those things which they have received and heard" [10] rather than advancing novel interpretations disconnected from apostolic tradition.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Ecclesiastes “The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth. -- Ecclesiastes 12:10”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (BBE) — If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion,”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 2:7 — Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:6 (LEB) — By teaching these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, trained in the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed faithfully.”
- Titus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Titus 2:15: The apostle closes the chapter (as he began it) with a summary direction to Titus upon the whole, in which we have the matter and manner of ministers' teaching, and a special instruction to Titus in reference to himself. I. The matter of ministers' teaching: These thing, namely, those before mentioned: not Jewish fables and traditions, but the truths and duties of the gospel, of avoiding sin, and living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Observe, Ministers in their preaching must keep close to the word of God. If any man speak, let him speak as”
- Ezekiel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 2:4: Thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord - Let them know that what thou hast to declare is the message of the Lord, that they may receive it with reverence. Every preacher of God's word should take heed that it is God's message he delivers to the people. Let him not suppose, because it is according to his own creed or confession of faith, that therefore it is God's word. False doctrines and fallacies without end are foisted on the world in this way. Bring the creed first to the Word of God, and scrupulously try whether it be right; and when this is done, leave ”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 9:16: Then he took the five loaves - A minister of the Gospel, who is employed to feed souls, should imitate this conduct of Christ: 1. He ought to exhort the people to hear with sedate and humble reverence. 2. He should first take the bread of life himself, that he may be strengthened to feed others. 3. He ought frequently to lift his soul to God, in order to draw down the Divine blessing on himself and his hearers. 4. He should break the loaves - divide rightly the word of truth, and give to all such portions as are suited to their capacities and states. 5. What he cannot”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 2:1: When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, Co1 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.”
- 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 4:6: The apostle would have Timothy to instil into the minds of Christians such sentiments as might prevent their being seduced by the judaizing teachers. Observe, Those are good ministers of Jesus Christ who are diligent in their work; not that study to advance new notions, but that put the brethren in remembrance of those things which they have received and heard. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you knew them, Pe2 1:12. And elsewhere, I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, Pe2 3:1. And, says the a”