Col. 1:28-2:10, Timothy: Command and Teach This (2)

As we consider Paul’s use of the verb “to teach” I should mention there are also nouns to identify what is taught and to describe the teacher.  Those we will save for another day as we are concerning ourselves with the verbs of 1 Tim. 4:11-16. 

·       Rom. 2:21: You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? In the Church a teacher must explain but also model what he teaches.

·       12:7: One of the seven spiritual gifts is “teaching.”  One with the gift excels in this ministry but others without the gift might teach in support of their gift.

·       1 Cor. 4:17: Timothy reminded the Corinthians of what Paul taught everywhere.

·       11:14: Nature also teaches about “long hair” on a man.

·       Gal. 1:12: No one taught Paul the mystery of Christ but Christ revealed it to him.

·       Eph. 4:21: What Paul taught was originally taught by Christ.

·       Col. 1:28: Paul’s preaching involved two things: admonition (warning) and teaching in all wisdom.  This ministry will bring believers to maturity.

·       2:7: The believers needed to be rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught. This was what Paul taught.

·       3:16: The teaching and admonishing (cf. above, 1:28) is also done through psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.  The music must teach!

·       2 Thess. 2:15: Paul exhorts them to stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.  Teaching of the word undergirds the traditions or applications.  The teaching can come in various ways.

·       1 Tim. 2:12: A woman was not to teach or have authority over a man.  This brings out the authority of teaching; if it is anchored in God’s word it comes with God’s authority.

·       4:11: These things command and teach. 6:2: Teach and exhort.  The “exhort” term refers to what we might call counselling.  Counselling also needs to be anchored in the teaching of the word.

·       2 Tim. 2:2: Timothy was to pass on truth to faithful men who could teach others.

·       Titus 1:11: Elders/pastors, by sound doctrine, need to stop others from teaching things they ought not to teach, things they teach just to get rich.

·       Heb. 5:12: These believers were stunted in their growth; they should be teachers but were in need of someone to still teach them the basics.

·       8:11: Under the New Covenant believers do not need to be taught to “know the LORD,” as by faith Christ has been revealed in their hearts.

·       1 Jn. 2:27: This is similar to the previous passage.  Having the Holy Spirit (the anointing) there is no need to be taught to know the Lord.  This is fundamental New Covenant teaching.

Don’t lose sight of our context.  These things relate to the ministry of one who is an elder/pastor/shepherd of the flock, the people of the Body of Christ.