Teaching Others About the Accurate Knowledge of the Word of God

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Teaching the Word of God with accuracy is a sacred trust and vital responsibility within the body of Christ. Scripture mandates that those who possess knowledge of God’s revealed will are to impart it to others with clarity, faithfulness, and reverence. This teaching task is not reserved solely for church elders or appointed evangelists; every mature believer bears a share in instructing others, whether through formal roles or informal influence. Teaching the accurate knowledge of God’s Word (epignōsis tou theou) centers on faithfully transmitting what has been divinely revealed—not personal opinion, denominational tradition, or cultural trends. It is the proclamation of truth, rightly divided, and unashamedly upheld.

The Command and Weight of Teaching in Scripture

The New Testament explicitly affirms the teaching ministry as a foundational element in God’s design for the church. In the Great Commission, Jesus commands his followers to “make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). The task is twofold: not merely evangelizing but also educating converts in the commandments of Christ.

Paul emphasizes the priority of teaching in passages such as 2 Timothy 2:2: “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” This verse establishes a chain of transmission—sound teaching preserved and passed from one generation to the next. False teaching, by contrast, spreads like infection (2 Timothy 2:17), which is why Paul exhorts Titus to “hold firmly to the trustworthy word… so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).

James 3:1 soberly cautions, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” This warning underscores the gravity of teaching: it is not a platform for self-expression but a divine stewardship, judged by the highest standards.

The Nature of Accurate Knowledge (Epignōsis) in Teaching

The Greek term epignōsis, used frequently in Paul’s letters, refers to full, exact knowledge—truth that is understood deeply and embraced practically. In Colossians 1:9–10, Paul prays that believers “may be filled with the knowledge (epignōsis) of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding… bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Teaching, then, is not the mere repetition of facts but the careful explanation of God’s will as it is revealed in scripture, with the goal of producing spiritual maturity and obedience.

Ephesians 4:11–13 shows the purpose of teaching within the church: Christ “gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry… until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge (epignōsis) of the Son of God, to mature manhood.” Accurate teaching leads to unity, stability, and growth. Without it, the church is vulnerable to error, deception, and spiritual infancy (Ephesians 4:14).

The Method and Manner of Biblical Teaching

Effective biblical teaching is rooted in the Historical-Grammatical method of interpretation. This approach seeks to discover the author’s original intent by examining the grammar, historical context, and literary structure of each passage. It avoids allegory, typology, and speculative reinterpretation, which compromise the integrity of the text. As Paul instructed Timothy, the goal is to be “a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The phrase “accurately handling” (Greek: orthotomounta) literally means “cutting straight,” indicating precision and faithfulness.

Sound teaching avoids embellishment or distortion. Paul warned against those who “teach what they should not, for the sake of dishonest gain” (Titus 1:11). In contrast, sound doctrine is simple, consistent, and drawn directly from scripture. The teacher is not the originator of truth but its steward (1 Corinthians 4:1–2).

The manner of teaching also matters. Paul told Timothy, “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patient when wronged” (2 Timothy 2:24). Teaching must be delivered with humility, not arrogance; with patience, not irritation; with gentleness, not force. Yet this does not imply compromise or ambiguity. Titus 2:1 commands, “Speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.”

Equipping Others to Teach

An essential part of teaching is equipping others to do the same. Hebrews 5:12 rebukes believers who, though they should be teachers by now, still need “milk and not solid food.” This indicates that teaching is not merely the domain of a few but the expected outgrowth of maturity. Paul instructs the church to be “able to admonish one another” (Romans 15:14), and older women are to “teach what is good” to younger women (Titus 2:3–5).

Equipping others includes modeling sound interpretation, encouraging scripture memorization, facilitating Bible study, and guiding others to resources grounded in truth. It also involves correction, as Paul demonstrated with Peter in Galatians 2:11–14, confronting him “because he stood condemned” due to hypocrisy. Teaching includes rebuke when necessary, “with great patience and instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Challenges and Dangers in Teaching Today

In every generation, teaching faces cultural and theological opposition. Paul prophesied that “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires” (2 Timothy 4:3). The modern context is no exception—emotionalism, mysticism, relativism, and progressive theology have eroded the place of sound, textual exposition.

Teachers today must resist pressure to soften biblical claims or adopt human-centered approaches. Teaching that minimizes sin, redefines salvation, or recasts God’s character ceases to be biblical. As Paul declared, “If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:9). Faithful teaching means prioritizing divine truth over human approval.

The Fruit and Reward of Teaching Accurately

Accurate teaching bears lasting fruit. In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul rejoices that his teaching was received “not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.” The Word, when taught faithfully, works powerfully in the hearts of listeners, shaping their beliefs, decisions, and character.

Those who teach truth participate in the advancement of God’s kingdom and the maturity of Christ’s body. Daniel 12:3 states, “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Though spoken in the context of Israel’s restoration, this principle echoes in the New Testament reward of those who labor faithfully in teaching (1 Corinthians 3:12–15).

Conclusion

Teaching others the accurate knowledge of God’s Word is a divine commission that carries eternal significance. It demands reverence for scripture, faithfulness to context, and clarity in communication. The task is not to innovate or reinterpret, but to preserve and proclaim what has been written. It calls for lifelong learning, a humble spirit, and the courage to stand firm amid cultural pressure.

In a world awash in confusion and compromise, the faithful teacher becomes a beacon—illuminating God’s truth for the next generation and equipping others to do the same. As Paul charged Timothy, so every believer must hear: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). In doing so, we fulfill our role as servants of the truth, teaching not for approval, but for the glory of Jehovah and the salvation of souls.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).