What to Teach

Titus 2:1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

1 Σὺ δὲ λάλει ἃ πρέπει τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ.

Paul continues his instruction to Titus.  He just finished describing the folks who do not teach sound doctrine and have no use for it.  Although the word δὲ is a weak adversative, it is one nonetheless.  Paul is setting up a contrast between those who are doing the wrong thing and how Titus should act as a pastor.

What does it mean to teach τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ?  There are a few glosses for the word ὑγιαινούσῃ.  The general idea is that it speaks to something that is healthy.  In other words, the doctrine that Titus is to teach should be healthy, like a healthy person or a healthy tree is healthy.  The word "sound" is good too.  You get the sense that the doctrine he is to teach is sound like something that is built well.

This is a vital truth for anyone who calls himself a Christian.  Certainly he should always teach sound doctrine if there are opportunities to teach.  It also means that we should be discerning as we are taught doctrine.  Read your Bible and make sure that what you are teaching is sound.  If not, then there is a problem with that teacher.

Every teacher is going to make a mistake here and there.  None of us is like Paul with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit behind us.  However, we should still be sure to do our best to teach sound doctrine.  We also should expect our pastors to do the same.  Let us be discerning with this.

How can we be discerning?  We need to read our Bibles!  Know what it says.  Be ready to look things up to check.  How can we discern if we don't know the standard?