The Whole World's a Stage! (2 Timothy 3:16)

2 Timothy 3:16 says that "All scripture breathes God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..."

THE SCRIPT OR PLAY

Originally, the Greek word for "doctrine", was 'the script' or 'play' written out for a dramatic production; the drama. The Greek word for teacher, meant the one that oversaw the rehearsals and taught the actors how to perform the script, often being the author, who wrote the production. The teacher was responsible to ensure the correct performance of the drama. They trained the actors.

The word picture is stunning!

DOCTRINE IS:

(1) the "script" that the Holy Spirit has written for our lives, through the scriptures.

(2) it contains instruction, from "the director", the Holy Spirit, as to how the drama is to be performed.

In a very literal sense, "doctrine", is the instruction of the "director", teaching us how to "act", on the stage of life, being "scripted" by the Holy Spirit.

Doctrine is the word of God that we can "act" on. Generally, the church holds doctrines about the return of Christ; final judgments; the virgin birth; and divinity of Christ, but we are not able to "act" out those body of teachings. We hold them as true, but the benefit, or what is profitable, is the revolutionizing effect scripture has in our lives, right now, through the manifest presence of our Father God, when His word is announced.

TWO ASPECTS

Doctrine has two aspects to it:

1) A "scripted" instruction of what is to be adhered to, or followed.

2) Specific "direction" on how to "act" on what is written.

Doctrine is a body of teaching [the script], and a teacher, is someone who declares [directs], what is written, and, by the Holy Spirit, shows us, practically, how to "act" out our part.

AFFIRMATION: God's word is the script for my life, and by the power of God, I act out His word.

DIGGING DEEPER:

The Greek word for "doctrine" is (didaskalia), Out of its 21 uses in the NT, 17 of them are in Paul's writings, and 15 of those are in the pastoral epistles. [eg. 1 Tim.1:10; 4:1,6: 2 Tim.3:10; Tit.1:9; 2:1,7,10].

The word for 'the act of teaching', is (didache), and it occurs 30 times in the NT, of which 13 are in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts, and 9 are in John's writings. Unfortunately, some bible translations render both of these Greek words by the English word "doctrine". [eg. Matt.7:28; Mk.4:2; Lk.4:32; Jn.7:16; Acts.13:12].

It makes sense that Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts would have numerous references to "the act of teaching", because they recount the ministry of Jesus and the Apostles, actively teaching and announcing the word. The epistles, however, and especially the Pastoral Epistles, emphasize "doctrine" [what is written], for teaching leaders what is necessary for Believers to live victoriously.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.