Articles
Sound words of our Lord
1 Timothy 6:3 — 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,".
‘Sound’ comes from the Greek word that literally means "to be in good physical health, be healthy,”. It is used this way in the gospels. "And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well (sound / healthy) have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Luke 5:31). "And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well” (Luke 7:10). "And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound” (Luke 15:27).
As a verb it was translated ‘healed’ in Matthew 8:13: "And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed (made sound / healthy) at that very moment."
However it is used in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus to speak about teaching and faith: sound teaching (1 Tim. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1); sound in faith (Tit. 1:13; 2:2); sound words (1 Tim. 6:3; 2 Tim. 1:13); and the sound speech (Tit. 2:8). There is ‘healthy’ teaching and there is ‘health faith’. There is also teaching that does not agree with healthy teaching! Hence Paul speaks of those who have an UNHEALTHY craving for controversy and for quarrels about words…” (1Tim. 6:4).
Some foods are healthy - IF they are NOT the only thing you eat! When one has a steady diet of only one food he will quickly become unhealthy. So it is with teaching. Hobby preaching that is not well rounded in the whole of God’s message is unhealthy.
Some foods that are healthy and good for us are not well liked! So also it is with sound teaching. Some refuse to accept such and again they quickly become unhealthy in their spiritual condition.
John wrote: Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health (sound / healthy), as it goes well with your soul” (3John 2). We need to be healthy not only in body but in our soul. Such is the product of digesting sound teaching. Hugh DeLong
