"Doctrine" in the Pastoral Epistles

by   Rev. James N. Birkitt                                                                                                                   Vol. XIX, No. 7, September 2007

Introduction

The three pastoral epistles are I Timothy, II Timothy, and Titus. They are called pastoral epistles because they contain the word of the aged minster, Paul, to the younger ministers, Timothy and Titus, as to how the church should be organized, who the officers are to be, and the "doctrine" of the church.

Pastor

The officers are the Deacons and the Pastor (the latter of whom is called in the King James version, "Bishop." In the Greek the word Bishop is better translated "Overseer, Superintendent, Officer in Charge." See I Timothy 3:1-7. His qualifications are outlined in this passage and again in Titus 1:5-9. His duties, dealt with in Acts 20:28 and I Peter 5:1-7, are to shepherd (tend the flock) and FEED them.

Deacon

I Timothy 3:8-14 tells the qualifications of the Deacon. Whatever the pastor is to be like, I Timothy 3:8 says the Deacon LIKEWISE should meet the same qualifications.

The Greek word "diakonos" (deacon) means: attendant, waiter on tables, servant. The same word is translated for minister and deacon. They are to be servants of the people. Nowhere does it give "authority" to the Deacon.

There is only one other passage in the New Testament that speaks to the office of the Deacon in the church. Acts 6:1-7 tells of the selection of the first seven who were to assist the ministers with tending to the needy so the ministers could give themselves to the "Word and prayer." They were to "look ye out seven MEN." In I Timothy 3, they were to be the HUSBANDS of one wife. So it is men that are called to this office. Other qualifications are given, including being the "husband of ONE wife." This does not say "one" against having two (bigamy) or one against having a plurality of wives (polygamy) since neither bigamy nor polygamy is mentioned even one time in the New Testament. To add "one at a time" is to dangerously add to God's Word, which is forbidden.

Church

The word "church" is actually used three or four times in these epistles. In I Timothy 3:5, the question is raised about the minister, "How shall He take care of the Church of God?" (If he can't successfully take leadership in his family). In I Timothy 3:15 Paul tells why he is writing to the young minister, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." I Timothy 5:16 places the primary concern for support of their widows upon believers in the family, and not the church itself. Titus was left at Ephesus to "set in order" the things that are wanting and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee," Titus 1:5-9. That the Elder was the same as the pastor is clearly seen in Titus 1:9 where he is also called "Bishop" or overseer. This is further seen in Acts 20 where he is called "Elder" in verse 17 and "overseer" in verse 28. In I Peter, likewise, he is called a "shepherd," is to "feed" the church and take "oversight."

Doctrine in the Book of I Timothy

1:3-4a Paul warns about wrong doctrine, leaves Timothy at Ephesus to guard against it, and writes "I besought thee to abide at Ephesus ... that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other 'doctrine,' Neither give heed to fables..."

1:10 Paul wrote that the law was against all that was ungodly and "contrary to sound ‘doctrine.’"

4:1 There is a "doctrine" or teaching that does not come from God but from demons. This teaching is found in verses 1-3.

 4:6 Timothy was told this, "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister, nourished up in the words of faith, and of good ‘doctrine', whereunto thou hast attained."

4:13 Paul told the young minister, "'Til I come, give attendance to reading, exhortation, and 'doctrine'."

4:16 Paul told Timothy, "Take heed to thyself, and unto thy 'doctrine;' continue in them..."

Note: Young Timothy was to give himself to "doctrine," take heed to it and have good "doctrine." If there is good "doctrine," there must be bad. And in verse 1, he was told that there is actually teaching or "doctrine" that comes from the devil and his cohorts.

5:17 "Let the elders (shepherd, pastor) that rule (lead) well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and 'doctrine.'"

6:1 Slaves (and employees) should count their masters worthy of all honor that the name of God and His 'doctrine' be not blasphemed."

6:3 "The 'doctrine' which is according to Godliness."

Note: Here Paul warns against "wrong 'doctrine,'" "doctrine" or teaching being compromised by wrong behavior toward superiors. It also states that the teaching we hold should be more than teaching, it should lead to a Godly Christian walk. One of my professors and mentors in Canada often said, "Wrong 'doctrine' leads to wrong behavior." I have seen this happen. What you believe affects the decisions you will make and your actions.

Doctrine in II Timothy

3:10 He reminds Timothy, "Thou hast fully known my 'doctrine', manner of life..."

3:16 Paul reminds young Timothy, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for 'doctrine' ... etc."

4:2 What is young Timothy to preach? "Preach the Word...exhort with all longsuffering and 'doctrine.'"

4:3. “The time will come when they will not endure sound 'doctrine.'"

Doctrine in the Epistle to Titus

1:9 A qualification of the minister is that he must be "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound 'doctrine' both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers."

2:1 Titus is told, "But speak thou the things which become sound 'doctrine' ..."

2:7 "In all things showing a pattern of good works: in 'doctrine' showing incorruptness.”

2:10 Servants are told that they should show all fidelity, that they may adorn the ‘doctrine' of God our Savior.

What Is “Sound” Doctrine?

Six times these epistles use the word "sound" to describe "doctrine." The descriptive word is also used of "sound speech," "sound mind," and "sound in the faith." What does it mean? We understand what someone must be like if they are not sound in mind. We would easily recognize someone who was not sound in faith. Not to be "sound in doctrine" should also easily be recognizable by one who knows his or her Bible and will check what they hear biblically against God's Word. The word in the Greek means, "to have sound health, i.e. to be well (in body); to be uncorrupt (true in 'doctrine'). This word comes from a word, "to be healthy, i.e. well (in body); figuratively true (in 'doctrine'): sound, whole."

"Sound 'doctrine,'" therefore, means teaching that which is true to the Bible and uncorrupted.

SUMMARY

In these three pastoral epistles we learn much about how God expects His church to operate. Specific qualifications are given for the selection of the Pastor/Shepherd/Overseer. Also, the same is made abundantly clear with regard to the selection of Deacons. There are no other teachings on the Deacons, if one is to follow God's Word, than I Timothy 3:1-7 and Acts 6:1-7. unless it is Acts 8 where Philip"began at that word and preached unto him (the Ethiopian) Jesus," or, Acts 7 where Stephen, preaching to the Pharisees, became the first martyr for Jesus.

Remember, the word "doctrine" simply means "learning," "teaching," or "instruction.”

[James N. Birkitt was pastor of Carmel Baptist Church, Ruther Glen, VA for almost twenty years. He now serves as Interim Pastor to churches in need. He may be reached at 804-672-8043.]