Lexical Summary heterodidaskaleó: To teach a different doctrine Original Word: ἑτεροδιδασκαλέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance teach other doctrine. From heteros and didaskalos; to instruct differently -- teach other doctrine(-wise). see GREEK heteros see GREEK didaskalos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom heteros and didaskalos Definition to teach other doctrine NASB Translation advocates a different doctrine (1), children (2), different doctrine (1), teach strange doctrines (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2085: ἑτεροδιδασκαλέωἑτεροδιδασκαλέω, ἑτεροδιδασκάλω; (ἕτερος and διδάσκαλος, cf. κακοδιδασκάλειν, Clement of Rome, 2 Cor. 10, 5 [ET]); to teach other or different doctrine i. e. deviating from the truth: 1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 6:3. (Ignatius ad Polycarp, 3 [ET], and others ecclesiastical writings.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Nuance Strong’s Greek 2085 designates the act of propagating instruction that diverges from the apostolic standard. It conveys not merely variety in emphasis but a qualitative difference that corrupts or subverts the gospel’s purity. Occurrences and Immediate Context • 1 Timothy 1:3 – Paul urges Timothy to “remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines”. The word marks an early confrontation with heterodox influences that threatened a young congregation’s stability. Relationship to Sound Doctrine Throughout the Pastoral Epistles, Paul pairs the command to silence heterodoxy with the call to promote “sound teaching” (Greek hugiainō). Heterodidaskaleō therefore acts as the negative counterpart to healthy doctrine; the two are mutually exclusive. Acceptance of one inevitably displaces the other, underscoring the necessity of doctrinal vigilance. Historical Background in the First-Century Church Ephesus, a cosmopolitan hub of pagan cults, speculative Judaism, and incipient Gnosticism, provided fertile ground for deviations from apostolic truth. Timothy’s mandate to confront heterodidaskaleō presupposes that false teachers often emerged from within the community (cf. Acts 20:29-30). Thus, the term reflects an internal threat rather than an external philosophical challenge. Pastoral Significance for Timothy and for Today Paul’s directives reveal three pastoral priorities: 1. Identification – recognizing teaching that fails to align with Christ’s words and apostolic doctrine. Safeguarding the Gospel Message Heterodidaskaleō functions as an alarm bell within the canon. Because “faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17), corrupted teaching imperils salvation itself. The verb’s presence in texts that also exalt Scripture’s sufficiency (2 Timothy 3:16-17) affirms that the inspired Word is both the source and the standard by which doctrine is judged. Ecclesial Application: Church Order and Discipline Paul’s remedy extends beyond personal discernment to corporate action. Elders are charged to “hold firmly to the trustworthy word as taught” so they can “exhort with sound doctrine and refute those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). Congregational health depends on leaders who resist heterodidaskaleō and promote theological integrity. Contemporary Relevance Modern parallels include any teaching—whether academic, popular, or media-driven—that redefines the nature of Christ, the authority of Scripture, the means of salvation, or biblical ethics. The rare yet pointed use of 2085 reminds every generation that doctrinal deviation is neither benign nor novel; the church must therefore remain anchored to revealed truth. Summary Heterodidaskaleō encapsulates the peril of doctrinal deviation and the pastoral imperative to guard the church’s teaching ministry. Its two appearances, though brief, erect a theological perimeter around the gospel, calling believers to unwavering fidelity to “the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 6:3). Forms and Transliterations ετεροδιδασκαλει ετεροδιδασκαλεί ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖ ετεροδιδασκαλειν ετεροδιδασκαλείν ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖν eterodidaskalei eterodidaskalein heterodidaskalei heterodidaskaleî heterodidaskalein heterodidaskaleînLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 1:3 V-PNAGRK: τισὶν μὴ ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖν NAS: certain men not to teach strange doctrines, KJV: that they teach no other doctrine, INT: some not to teach other doctrines 1 Timothy 6:3 V-PIA-3S Strong's Greek 2085 |
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