Content of Sound Doctrine

​It is practically certain that the phrase “sound doctrine” is not one that you hear every day; in fact, it is possible you have never heard it at all. Even though both words are English, and we may know what each word means, they have a strange sound when put together. Despite the strangeness of this phrase, it is found in a handful of texts in the New Testament. While that may alert us to its importance, that does not tell us much about what it means. What should we make of this phrase and what God intends to communicate through it?
 
            We should first consider the underlying meaning of “sound doctrine.” In every instance, it simply refers to healthy teaching. While no translation words it that way, that is the basic idea the phrase carries. To be more specific, the word “sound” refers to that which is free from error. It describes a state of completeness that has no fault in it. When we take that and apply it to teaching, then, we describe instruction that is meant to influence the hearers to do what is right. That is why we usually find the phrase as a contrast with instruction that destroys and tears down the hearers. The basic meaning of the phrase helps us grasp that it has to do with the instruction we receive from teachers and preachers, but to wrap our minds around how impactful it is, we must dig deeper.
 
            Of all the New Testament authors, Paul is the only one to use this phrase. In its first appearance, the apostle warns Timothy that some teachers have arisen who desire to teach the law of God given through Moses but are entirely ignorant of what it means (1 Timothy 1:5-7). To correct that problem, Paul writes that the law of God has a purpose, and that purpose is to identify sin (1 Timothy 1:8-10). In this list, Paul focuses on attitudes and activities that are unlawful before God, which makes them sinful. Notice that at the end of his list Paul writes, “and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.” Apparently, the list Paul provides is not exhaustive, because there are other sins that may contradict sound doctrine. From this, we must recognize that sound doctrine impacts how we understand God’s law and how we view sin. A single article cannot sufficiently draw these points out, yet we must state that if we are taught unhealthy teachings about law and sin, then we will fail to live the life God intends. We will instead be deceived about these significant topics and act in ways that contradict sound doctrine, which harms the gospel and dishonors God. Sound doctrine matters because it affects our perspective on what God expects for how we live!
 
            The apostle Paul goes further in his letter to Titus. There, he commands Titus to say that which is “proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Paul does not launch into an extended discussion about worship or benevolence but instead focuses on how various groups in the Lord’s church live their lives. The older men, Paul writes, should be examples to others (Titus 2:2). The older women should demonstrate godliness in their conduct and teach the younger women how to live for Christ (Titus 2:3-5). The younger men should think clearly about life (Titus 2:5). Slaves should obey their masters and be faithful so that they may honor God’s instructions in how they live (Titus 2:9-10). Do you see the picture that emerges about sound doctrine? What we consider is not just a series of unrelated topics and ideas strung together; rather, we see instructions that benefit Christians of every age and in every place so that they may lead lives that honor God. It is important for teachers and preachers to discuss worship, church government, and many other subjects of concern, yet those instructions are not directly specified as “sound doctrine” like daily, Christ-centered living is. Sound doctrine matters because it influences how we conduct our lives day-to-day in the Lord’s work!
 
            The final text in which the phrase “sound doctrine” appears is in Paul’s second letter to Timothy. Paul warns Timothy that there is a time in the not-so-distant future that some brethren will no longer “endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). He indicates that this will happen because they will pursue their own desires and find teachers who will give them what they want. Of the texts that use the phrase “sound doctrine,” this is perhaps the most significant. The reason for its significance is that it clearly shows “sound doctrine” contradicts our personal desires. It will not allow us to think or live as we please but instead calls us to deny self. That has never been, nor will it ever be, a popular declaration, but it is a necessary one if the doctrine is sound. Sound doctrine matters because it calls us to leave our personal desires behind and embrace the truth God has revealed!
 
            No matter how strange the phrase may sound to our modern ears, “sound doctrine” matters. It is through that healthy teaching we learn how to honor God through our perspectives and lives. Like any teaching, it will only be effective if we take heed to what it says. We would hardly wish to be like those Paul described as having “itching ears” that seek something other than healthy teaching. Instead, we wish to be people who yearn for the good instructions God has given us and earnestly strive to practice them each day.