SPECIAL TOPIC: SOUND TEACHING

SPECIAL TOPIC: SOUND TEACHING (from 1 Timothy 1)

We get the English word "hygiene" from this Greek word. This term is used in the NT eleven times; nine are in the Pastoral Letters. It speaks of teachings that make believers spiritually healthy.

This concept (though different phrasing) is a repeated theme in the Pastoral Letters (cf. 1 Tim. 1:10; 4:6; 6:3; 2 Tim. 1:13; 4:3; Titus 1:9,13; 2:1,2,7). In this context it is parallel to "the gospel of glory" in 1 Tim. 1:11.

The difficult contemporary application of this text relates to modern believers being able to define "false teachers." How does one differentiate between items of personal preference and culture versus crucial doctrinal issues? (see Gordon Fee, Gospel and Spirit). The answer must lie in the Apostolic preaching of the gospel (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KERYGMA OF THE EARLY CHURCH), especially as it relates to the person and work of Christ and how humans receive the benefit of Christ's work and live in light of the gospel's mandate of Christlikeness.

"Sound teaching" is one of several words and phrases that lift up and describe God's truth.

"Word of God" (cf. 1 Tim. 4:5; 2 Tim. 4:2; Titus 2:5)
"word of our Lord" (cf. 1 Tim. 6:3; 2 Tim. 1:13)
"words of truth" (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15)
"words of faith" (cf. 1 Tim. 4:6)
"teaching" (cf. 1 Tim. 1:10; 11 Tim. 4:3; Titus 1:9, 2:1)
"deposit" (cf. 1 Tim. 6:20)
"truth" (cf. 2 Tim. 1:14; 2:18, 25; 3:7,8; 4:4)
"the Gospel" (cf. 1 Tim. 1:11; 2 Tim. 2:8, 10, 11)
"the faith" (cf. 1 Tim. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:7)
"Scriptures" (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15-16)

SPECIAL TOPIC: ORTHODOXY OF THE PASTORALS