Explain God’s Word Part I

Today, we continue our study to answer the question: “How is the church supposed to function Biblically?” Over the last few weeks, we have looked at our need to engage and elevate God’s word. If we fail to “hold fast the faithful word,” then we will never be in a position to explain His word. Yet, if we submit to His word, holding it as the highest authority in our lives, then we will be able to explain and understand God’s message.

In Titus 1:9, we see this call to explain God’s word. Paul writes, “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching.” This teaching is “how” the faithful word is delivered to God’s people. Teaching is a formal, ordered instruction focused on a single vision. A perfect God has a perfect message and He has given us a perfect explanation—and it comes through teaching!

God’s Expectation for Teaching

Before we investigate “how” God wants us to teach, we must grasp his expectation for good teaching. Yet, admittedly this is where the greatest problem lies. For, our perfect God has placed His perfect message in the hands of imperfect men. Therefore, He warns bad teachers, condemns false teachers, and praises good teachers. This proves He desires the truth to be delivered in a specific way. 

Don’t Be a Bad Teacher

The Scripture gives a warning to bad teachers. It says: “Don’t do it!” In James 3:1, James writes,

“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.”

The Scripture clearly warns against anyone teaching, if they do not know the exact truth (1 Tim 1:3–7). Such a decision is dangerous for both the church and the teacher.

Don’t Be a False Teacher

Furthermore, the Scripture condemns false teachers. Again and again, Paul tells Timothy to avoid such men as these (2 Tim [2:17], 3:1–10; 4:3–5). False teachers have an amazing ability to corrupt. In 2 Peter 2:1–3, Peter writes, “false teachers… [have] their judgment from long ago…and their destruction is not asleep.” False teachers are condemned by God.

Be a Good Teacher

God’s message is often not delivered the way He intended—whether by bad teachers or false teachers. But, this does not mean His message cannot be delivered as He intended. If we make that conclusion, then we have made a “Hasty Generalization.” In fact, God’s warning to bad teachers and condemnation of false teachers is proof positive: He has an expectation for good teaching. Therefore, God must have given a right way to teach or explain His word. This is of the utmost importance to God. In Matthew 18:6, Jesus says, 

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

Correct explanation is deadly serious. This is God’s expectation. A perfect God has a perfect message with a perfect explanation. 

For this reason, God praises good teaching. The Scriptures do not say: “Good teaching is an impossible standard.” Instead, the Scriptures expect good teaching. In Matthew [5:19], Jesus says, “Whoever keeps and teaches these commandments shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.” Those that accurately teach the commands of God are considered great.

Again, in 1 Timothy [5:17], Paul writes to Timothy, “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.” Paul accounts double honor to those committed to the work of explaining the Scriptures.

Finally, in Romans 10:15, Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7, writing“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things.”The “good news” declared victory. After battle, the army would send out a messenger from the battlefield. He would travel over long distances at high speed. By the time the messenger arrived, his feet would be swollen, bloodly, and bruised. But, His feet carried the good news—victory! This messager was not loved for his feet, but for “how” his feet brought the news. 

Do We Have God’s Expectation? 

God has a perfect explanation and He expects it to be delivered. His expectations have never changed, but ours have. We have heard so many bad explanations. We have listened to many different interpretations. We have seen countless denominations. So over time, we have been conditioned to believe God’s message is lost in translation. We have abandoned God’s expectation for a Biblical explanation. 

Then we start to assume what is normal is also right. This is the victory of false doctrine. Bad teaching spreads and becomes the standard. Now, we never expect to hear a clear, or even correct, teaching about the Bible. We do not expect a Biblical explanation—a systematic presentation of “What We Believe.” Our expectations shift to anything, but good teaching. We have abandoned the core commitment of the church to deliver God’s truth.

Yet, we should share God’s expectation for a Biblical explanation. We should desire the truth (1 Peter 2:1–3). But, once God’s expectation becomes our own, then we must know “how” the Scripture should be explained. What is the standard? The method to deliver God’s truth to God’s people. This we will look at next week.