True Doctrine

One of the themes of the Pastoral epistles is the importance of teaching true doctrine.  It seems that Paul was very concerned about true doctrine being taught to the Saints, and he stressed this both to Timothy and Titus.  He spoke of “sound doctrine” and emphasized that they should “speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:10, Titus 2:1).  Paul warned that “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine” and emphasized that as they taught such people they should “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2-3).  In the latter days he said that “some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1).  To protect against that Paul exhorted Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:16). He was to charge his flock to “teach no other doctrine” than that which had been revealed” (1 Timothy 1:3).  He told Titus to be a “pattern of good works” showing “uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity” in the doctrines of the gospel (Titus 2:7).

                As he taught Timothy and Titus, Paul focused on the importance of the scriptures and revealed word of God in establishing true doctrine.  He said to Timothy, “Thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” (Timothy 4:6).  In other words, he would be nourished by “words of faith”—presumably the scriptures—and understand “good doctrine” in order to be a “good minister: of Jesus Christ.”  Paul told Timothy to “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13).  That “reading” surely is the words of the scriptures that define what the doctrine is.  Paul told Timothy that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine” (2 Timothy 3:16).  In order to “exhort and to convince the gainsayers” Paul told Titus to “hold fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine” to address those dissenters (Titus 1:9).  The scriptures were key to be able to understand true principles and for these two bishops to be able to lead and teach their flock correct doctrine. 

                For us today the message from the epistles of Timothy and Titus is that we too should focus on true doctrine, especially that which is found in the scriptures.  It is easy to get caught up in the ideas that are found only on the fringes of the gospel, but our focus must be on the scriptures and the words of the living prophets as we base our lives around the true doctrines of the Christ.