Hygenic Teaching
Three times in the Pastoral Epistles Paul references “sound teaching” (I Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 4:3, Titus 1:9). But exactly what does “sound teaching”mean?
First, some language forensics. The word for “sound” is the basis for our American word “hygiene” or “hygienic,” and the word for “teaching” is the common New Testament word for “doctrine.” So the sense of this Pauline phrase indicates that he desires Timothy and Titus to be involved in transferring “whole doctrine.” Or “healthy doctrine;” thus, the translation “sound teaching.” This not only speaks to the type of teaching (i.e., healthy beliefs), but also to the result of teaching (i.e., healthy believers).
Second, some language focus, specifically regarding the word “hygienic.” “Hygienic” is a medically rooted term which indicates wholeness, healthiness, and soundness. In this Scriptural use, it signifies the well-groundedness and solidness of what is taught. It is clear that this word “sound” implies that the message being delivered and heard is whole. Healthy. Solid. Without disease or infection.
From these three verses we conclude the church’s teaching should be the same way—sound, healthy, whole, complete and without defect. In a word, hygenic. No doubt it already is because it is God’s truth; the message is, in essence, sound. Thus, it should be communicated in a healthy manner as well. Its solid essence should be backed up with solid exclamation.
The way to ensure that the church’s sound doctrine has sound delivery—hygenic teaching in essence and exclamation—is to base everything we say on what God has already said. Our words should rest on his Word. No wonder in each of the three verses mentioned there is a reference to previously revealed Scripture, indicating that hygienic teaching is based on truth God has already made known.
This is what is referred to as teaching/preaching from a parallel perspective – i.e., we come alongside Scripture to highlight, explain, and teach, through the Holy Spirit’s wisdom (I Corinthians 2), what God has declared in His Word. Hygienic teaching is a matter of continued exhortation, not new revelation.
Practically speaking, then, hygenic teaching doesn’t look for the newest slant or try digging up a different edge; that only leads one perilously close to the cliff of subjective truth, which dangles right over the rocks of relativism. After all, it is not a lack of God’s truth that has led us to our current state of moral ambiguity and biblical illiteracy. Rather, it’s our refusal to acknowledge known truth and apply it to life’s situations.
God, in his goodness and sovereignty, has given complete, accurate, inspired, and objective truth. Those who claim to have additional truth from God apart from Scripture, or seek to raise their own preferential opinions to the level of the Bible, are heretical, not hygienic. But the church committed to hygienic teaching bases their proclamation upon the sure foundation of God’s completed revelation, not upon the shifting sand of cultural opinion or personal experience.
Pastor Todd
P.S. Be sure and catch the Extra Point podcast tomorrow!