Doctrine

Doctrine is teaching about God and his ways, and believers are told to hold to sound doctrine and turn from teaching that departs from it. This page lists verses on sound doctrine, the doctrine of Jesus, Scripture and doctrine, the apostles' teaching, being carried about by false teaching, and the responsibility of teachers.

Sound doctrine

• Titus 2:1
  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine.
  Show context · Read Titus 2 →
• Titus 1:9
  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.
  Show context · Read Titus 1 →
• 1 Timothy 4:16
  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
  Show context · Read 1 Timothy 4 →
• 1 Timothy 4:6
  If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
  Show context · Read 1 Timothy 4 →
• 2 Timothy 1:13
  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
  Show context · Read 2 Timothy 1 →

The doctrine of Jesus

• John 7:16-17
  ¹⁶Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.“My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. ¹⁷If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.
  Show context · Read John 7 →
• Matthew 7:28-29
  ²⁸And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, ²⁹For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
  Show context · Read Matthew 7 →
• 2 John 1:9-10
  ⁹Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.
  Show context · Read 2 John 1 →

Scripture and doctrine

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  ¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
  Show context · Read 2 Timothy 3 →
• Romans 15:4
  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
  Show context · Read Romans 15 →
• Acts 17:11
  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
  Show context · Read Acts 17 →
• Isaiah 8:20
  To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
  Show context · Read Isaiah 8 →

The apostles' teaching

• Acts 2:42
  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
  Show context · Read Acts 2 →
• Romans 6:17
  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed.
  Show context · Read Romans 6 →
• Jude 1:3
  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.
  Show context · Read Jude 1 →
• Romans 16:17
  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.
  Show context · Read Romans 16 →

Carried about by false teaching

• Ephesians 4:14
  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.
  Show context · Read Ephesians 4 →
• Hebrews 13:9
  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.
  Show context · Read Hebrews 13 →
• Galatians 1:6-9
  ⁶I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— ⁷Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. ⁸But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! ⁹As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!
  Show context · Read Galatians 1 →
• 1 Timothy 4:1
  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
  Show context · Read 1 Timothy 4 →
• 2 Timothy 4:3-4
  ³For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. ⁴And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
  Show context · Read 2 Timothy 4 →
• Matthew 15:9
  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”
  Show context · Read Matthew 15 →

Teachers and their responsibility

• James 3:1
  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
  Show context · Read James 3 →
• 2 Timothy 2:2
  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.
  Show context · Read 2 Timothy 2 →
• 2 Timothy 2:15
  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
  Show context · Read 2 Timothy 2 →
• 1 Timothy 6:3-4
  ³If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, ⁴He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,
  Show context · Read 1 Timothy 6 →
• Titus 2:7-8
  ⁷In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, ⁸Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
  Show context · Read Titus 2 →

See also

• False teachers
• Scripture
• Truth
• Elders
• Preaching

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.