Bible Discussion Thread

In whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning ( Rom. 15:4) The same interpretation applied to Paul's expression here also applies to Paul's expression, "good Doctrine" ( 1Tim. 4:6; see the footnote there).

Paul used the expression "sound Doctrine" four times, and only in his pastoral epistles to Timothy and Titus (see 1Tim. 1:10; 2Tim. 4:3; Tit. 1:9; 2:1) to distinguish "that [which] is contrary to sound doctrine" ( 1Tim. 1:10) from true Doctrine such as:

+ the spurious doctrines of which CHRIST described as "the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" ( Mt. 16:12), which included the doctrine "of the circumcision" (v.10);

+ "every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" ( Eph. 4:14);

+ "philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after CHRIST" ( Col. 2:8);

+ "the doctrine of Balaam" which blended sexual immorality into the True Religion ( Rev. 2:14); and

+ "the doctrine of the Nicolaitans" which gave unauthorized usurping power to spiritual leaders with unholy agendas ( Rev. 2:15).