Evaluating Context of Teaching or Example for Scriptural Alignment
Evaluating the context of teaching or examples for scriptural alignment involves discerning whether a given doctrine or practice aligns with biblical principles. The Apostle Paul instructs Timothy to "command and teach" certain things, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine [10]. He warns against those who "teach another doctrine" that deviates from the "sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching" [1, 7].
The New Testament highlights teaching as a spiritual gift and a vital function within the Christian community. Romans 12:7 states, "if it is teaching, let him teach" [3]. This underscores the responsibility of those who teach to do so diligently and accurately. The concept of "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15) is central to this evaluation. The Greek phrase for "rightly dividing" can be understood as "rightly handling" or "cutting straight," suggesting a careful and precise approach to Scripture, much like a workman who is "not to be ashamed" of his labor [6]. This implies a need for earnest study and diligence in understanding and presenting biblical truth [6].
Scriptural examples serve as models for believers. Jesus Christ himself is presented as an example of diligence, as seen in his early engagement with spiritual matters and his commitment to prayer [2]. Believers are called to follow Christ's example in various aspects of life, including diligence in seeking God, obeying His commands, striving for perfection, cultivating Christian graces, and guarding against defilement [2]. The Apostle Paul also encourages believers to "prove" or test "what is acceptable unto the Lord" [9]. This testing involves careful and continued study, as well as practical and experimental trial, to discern what aligns with God's will [9].
The Old Testament also provides insights into the value of instruction and learning. Proverbs 9:9 suggests that giving instruction to a wise person will make them "yet wiser," and teaching a just person will increase their learning [5]. This indicates that a receptive heart is crucial for benefiting from teaching. Furthermore, afflictions can serve as a "school" for God's people, teaching them about their duty and privileges, and helping them to learn God's statutes [4]. This perspective suggests that even difficult experiences can be a context for learning and aligning with God's will [4].
Public reading of Scripture was a practice transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the early Christian Church [8]. This practice, mentioned in Luke 4:16-20, Acts 13:15, and 15:21, emphasizes the importance of communal engagement with the biblical text as a means of instruction and alignment [8]. The recognition of New Testament Gospels and Epistles as inspired writings meant they were read alongside the Old Testament in the early church [8].
The evaluation of teaching and examples for scriptural alignment requires careful attention to the text, diligent study, and a willingness to test what is presented against the revealed will of God. This process ensures that doctrines and practices remain consistent with the "godly teaching" found in the Bible [1].
Sources
- I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (BSB) — If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Romans “Romans 12:7 (BSB) — if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:68: It is good for me that I have been afflicted,.... The good and profit of which he had observed before; See Gill on Psa 119:67. The following end being also answered thereby, that I might learn thy statutes; to understand them, and to keep them. Afflictions are sometimes as a school to the people of God, in which they learn much both of their duty and of their privileges; and when they are teaching and instructive, they are for good; see Psa 94:12.”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 9:9: Give instruction to a wise man,.... In the Hebrew text it is only "give to a wise man"; give him reproof, correction, chastisement, doctrine, or instruction, be it what it will, he will be the better for it. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, render it, "give occasion"; to him of showing his wisdom and of improving in it: and he will be yet wiser; he will learn something by every him that is given him, whether it be by way of rebuke, or by way of instruction; teach a just man; one that is truly so, that has seen the insufficiency of his o”
- 2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 2:15: Study--Greek, "Be earnest," or "diligent." to show--Greek, "present," as in Rom 12:1. thyself--as distinguished from those whom Timothy was to charge (Ti2 2:14). approved--tested by trial: opposed to "reprobate" (Tit 1:16). workman--alluding to Mat 20:1, &c. not to be ashamed--by his work not being "approved" (Phi 1:20). Contrast "deceitful workers" (Co2 11:13). rightly dividing--"rightly handling" [Vulgate]; "rightly administering" [ALFORD]; literally, cutting "straight" or "right": the metaphor being from a father or a steward (Co1 4:1”
- 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”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:10: Proving--construed with "walk" (Eph 5:8; Rom 12:1-2). As we prove a coin by the eye and the ear, and by using it, so by accurate and continued study, and above all by practice and experimental trial, we may prove or test "what is acceptable unto the Lord." This is the office of "light," of which believers are "children," to manifest what each thing is, whether sightly or unsightly.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: 449 Homily XIII. 1 Timothy iv. 11–14 “These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” In some cases it is necessary to command, in others to teach; if therefore you command in those cases where teaching is required, ”