2 Timothy & Titus: What is "Sound Doctrine"?

First, what is "doctrine"? There seems to be a distinction between "doctrinal issues" and "moral issues" these days. Many think "doctrinal issues" include such topics as divorce, taking the Lord's Supper, praying, fasting, musical instruments in worship, the head covering (1 Corinthians 11), spiritual gifts, etc. In fact, all of these things ARE doctrinal, but doctrine is not limited to these things. "Doctrine" simply means "teaching." That's it. There is no difference between the words. Everything in Scripture is "teaching" isn't it? The New American Standard Bible says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching..." (2 Timothy 3:16). The New King James Version on the same verse: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine..." Teaching is doctrine and doctrine is teaching. When someone says, "I have a doctrinal question," he has probably pigeon-holed a certain set of teaching in his mind as "doctrine." He is probably about to ask a question about a topic such as found in the list above. But let's attempt to use Bible words in Bible ways. Otherwise we will end up with a FALSE doctrine!

Second, what is "sound doctrine"? In our reading today we find, "But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1). The word "sound" means to be healthy or whole. To be "sound of mind and body" means your head and body are working like they are supposed to work. To speak "sound doctrine" is to teach God's teachings as they are supposed to be taught. We speak the WHOLE counsel of God. We don't change the teaching.

But Titus goes on in the chapter to define some items of study under "sound doctrine." What is he going to list? Will it be lectures on grace, faith, or justice? Will he tackle the worship of the church? Let's scan through the rest of Titus 2 to see what is included in "sound doctrine."

Verse 2 - teach the older men to be "temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance"

Verse 3 - teach the older women to be "reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good"

Verse 4-5 - teach the younger women to "love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands"

Verse 6-8 - teach the younger men to be "sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach"

And so on it goes. These are moral teachings. This is pure doctrine! Titus was to preach these things, and we should follow his lead today in teaching every age group what they need to DO in service to God. In all things, our character and actions should glorify the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

God bless,
Nathan

Tomorrow's Reading: Ephesians