Importance of Grounding Teachings in Clear Scripture
The concept of "grounding" teachings in clear Scripture emphasizes the necessity of establishing Christian doctrine and practice upon the explicit revelation of God's Word. This idea is frequently expressed through the metaphor of a foundation, which is the lowest part of a building upon which it rests [1]. Just as a physical structure requires a solid base, Christian faith and teaching are understood to require a firm scriptural foundation.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, urges believers to be "grounded" or "fixed on the foundation" [6]. This grounding is contrasted with being "not moved away" by false teachers, highlighting the protective role of a scriptural foundation against doctrinal error [6]. Similarly, the author of Hebrews speaks of "leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ" to "go on unto perfection" [4, 5]. This does not imply abandoning foundational truths, but rather building upon them, much like a building progresses from its foundation to completion [4, 7]. These principles, such as repentance and faith, are the basic commitments that initiate a person into Christian life [8].
John Gill, commenting on 2 Timothy 2:19, describes the "foundation of God" as the faith of God's elect, which is "firm and immovable" and "cannot be overthrown by false teachers" [3]. This faith is seen as solid and substantial, supported by God's power and Christ's mediation [3]. The Gospel itself is called the "doctrine of Christ" because Christ is its author, recipient from the Father, preacher, and its very substance [5]. Therefore, to be grounded in the doctrine of Christ is to be rooted in the Gospel as revealed in Scripture.
The imagery of planting and watering further illustrates this concept. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:6, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" [9]. Here, the initial sowing of the Gospel seed and its subsequent nurturing are essential, but the ultimate growth and fruitfulness depend on God's blessing [9]. This suggests that while human teachers play a role in disseminating and explaining scriptural truths, the divine power behind the Word is what truly establishes and sustains faith.
The Old Testament also uses the metaphor of foundations in various contexts, referring to the foundations of the heavens, the earth, the world, mountains, and even kingdoms [1]. Cities, walls, houses, temples, and towers are all described as having foundations, often made of stone, deep-laid, and strongly joined by cornerstones [1]. This pervasive use of the foundation metaphor across both testaments underscores the biblical emphasis on stability and reliability derived from a secure base.
For the men of Judah and Jerusalem, the prophet Jeremiah calls them to repentance, indicating that a proper relationship with God and adherence to His word are foundational for their well-being [2]. This implies that the teachings given by God through His prophets serve as the necessary ground for their spiritual and national life. The consistent message across these texts is that true spiritual growth and stability are contingent upon a firm and unwavering adherence to the revealed Word of God.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Foundation — The lowest part of a building, and on which it rests -- Lu 14:29; Ac 16:26. Figuratively applied to The heavens. -- 2Sa 22:8. The earth. -- Job 38:4; Ps 104:5. The world. -- Ps 18:15; Mt 13:35. The mountains. -- De 32:22. The ocean. -- Ps 104:8. Kingdoms. -- Ex 9:18. Laid for Cities. -- Jos 6:26; 1Ki 16:34. Walls. -- Ezr 4:12; Re 21:14. Houses. -- Lu 6:48. Temples. -- 1Ki 6:37; Ezr 3:10. Towers. -- Lu 14:28,29. Described as Of stone. -- 1Ki 5:17. Deep laid. -- Lu 6:48. Strongly laid. -- Ezr 6:3. Joined together by corner stones. -- Ezr 4:12; 1Pe 2:6; Eph”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 4:3: For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem,.... The two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, who were at the time of this prophecy in their own land; and so are distinguished from Israel the ten tribes, who were in captivity; unless the same persons should be meant, who were called by these several names, the people of the Jews; and it was in Judea that our Lord appeared in the flesh, and to the inhabitants thereof he ministered, he was the minister of the circumcision; and so to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, whom he called to repentance, and would have gathe”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 2:19: Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure,.... That faith, which is the faith of God's elect, is of the operation of God, and is the gift of his grace, and of which Christ is the author and finisher, is firm and immovable as a foundation; it is solid and substantial; it is the substance of things hoped for; and it is permanent and abiding; it stands sure, being supported by the power of God, and prevalent mediation of Jesus Christ; and so cannot be overthrown by false teachers, when an historical faith, or the faith of temporary believers may: or the doctri”
- Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 6:1: We have here the apostle's advice to the Hebrews - that they would grow up from a state of childhood to the fullness of the stature of the new man in Christ. He declares his readiness to assist them all he could in their spiritual progress; and, for their greater encouragement, he puts himself with them: Let us go on. Here observe, In order to their growth, Christians must leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ. How must they leave them? They must not lose them, they must not despise them, they must not forget them. They must lay them up in their hearts, a”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:1: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,.... The Gospel is the doctrine of Christ, and is so called, because Christ, as God, is the author of it; as Mediator, he received it from his Father; as man, he was the preacher of it; and he is also the sum and substance of it: the principles of this doctrine are either the easier parts of the Gospel, called milk in the latter part of the preceding chapter; which are not to be left with dislike and contempt, nor so as to be forgotten, nor so as not to be recurred to at proper times; but so as not to abide in”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:23: If--"Assuming that," &c.: not otherwise shall ye be so presented at His appearing (Col 1:22). grounded--Greek, "founded," "fixed on the foundation" (compare Note, see on Eph 3:17; Luk 6:48-49). settled--"steadfast." "Grounded" respects the foundation on which believers rest; "settled," their own steadfastness (Pe1 5:10). Co1 15:58 has the same Greek. not moved away--by the false teachers. the hope of the gospel-- (Eph 1:18). which ye have heard . . . which was preached to every creature . . . whereof I . . . am . . . a minister--Three arg”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 6 (introduction): We must proceed from the first principles of the doctrine of Christ unto perfection, and not lay the foundation a second time, Heb 6:1-3. Those who were once enlightened, and have been made partakers of the Holy Ghost and the various blessings of the Gospel, if they apostatize from Christ, and finally reject him as their Savior, cannot be renewed again to repentance, Heb 6:4-6. The double similitude of the ground blessed of God, and bearing fruit; and of that ground which is cursed of God, and bears briers and thorns, Heb 6:7, Heb 6:8. The apostle's con”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:1: 6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14), the author urges them to move beyond basic teachings. The six basic teachings here were all foundational elements of Jewish instruction. The author might be challenging them to move beyond these basic teachings to further understanding about the person of Christ, which he elaborates in 7:1–10:25. 6:1 Let us go on: Or Let us be carried on, suggesting that God initiates growth to maturity (Phil 2:12-13) and that it is an ongoing process. • Repenting and faith are the basic commitments that initiate a person to the”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 3:6: I have planted - I first sowed the seed of the Gospel at Corinth, and in the region of Achaia. Apollos watered - Apollos came after me, and, by his preachings and exhortations, watered the seed which I had sowed; but God gave the increase. The seed has taken root, has sprung up, and borne much fruit; but this was by the especial blessing of God. As in the natural so in the spiritual world; it is by the especial blessing of God that the grain which is sown in the ground brings forth thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold: it is neither the sower nor the waterer that ”