Matt 23:8-12 - title of "Teacher" is NOT condemned

email · Post by **email** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:50 am

Inquiry in Reference To: [url=http://www.insearchoftruth.org/articles ... lists.html]http://www.insearchoftruth.org/articles ... lists.html[/url]
In the section on becoming an evangelist, under the heading that includes revend and pastors; please read again matt 23: 8-12. I read it and it did not seem correct. I researched in two different bibles, and what you wrote in incorrect. You included teachers, and no where in scripture is that written. Please correct it. Often people who do not research the word are misled by erroneous text. I will keep checking your site until it is corrected. GOD'S WORD SHOULD NEVER BE CHANGED. Satan did it and misled Eve. God said "you shall surely die", satan told her "you shall NOT surely die". Look at the mess we are in today because of that.

m273p15c · Post by **m273p15c** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 12:37 pm

I also agree that we should not change God's Word, and we must be very careful in how we study and what we present (II Timothy 2:15; Luke 8:18; James 3:1). However, the word, teachers, is present in Matthew 28:10 in multiple translations:

"But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ." (Matthew 23:8-10 NKJV)

But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one Teacher and you are all brothers. And call no one your 'father' on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one teacher, the Christ." (Matthew 23:8-10 NET)

"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ." (Matthew 23:8-10 NIVO)

True, some translations use other words, such as: master, leader, or instructor (KJV, ASV, NAS, NIV, ESV, RSV), but do they not mean the same as the word, teacher, even in our own tongue? And, are they not as equally as valid, as evidenced by the following Greek-English lexicons?

strictly guide, leader; in the NT teacher, instructor (Friberg, #14506)

teacher, leader, master (UBS, Barclay Newman, #3151)

one who provides instruction and guidance - 'teacher, instructor.' (Louw-Nida, #33.245)

a. properly, a guide: Numen. quoted in Ath. 7, p. 313 d. b. a master, teacher: Matt. 23:8 R G, 10. (Thayer, #2656)

teacher (Gingrich, #3302, p.97)

So, the Greek word, kathegetes, also seems to support the translation, teacher, according to several lexicons.

The work of teachers is an essential and critical work in the church (Ephesians 4:11). Now, I am not teaching that the work of teachers is unscriptural, just like I am not teaching the work of fathers are unscriptural (Matthew 23:9). I am not saying that you cannot even recognize or call them as such. The point that Jesus made is that we are not to elevate men with titles in general:

"They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:6-12 NKJ)

Jesus merely cites 3 examples to this principle: rabbi, father, and teacher. The same lesson would apply to any title that elevates men over their brethren. So, for example, although I may be a Bible teacher, no one should call me, Teacher M273P15C. Furthermore, although we have elders and deacons at the local church of which I am a member, I do not call them as Elder Peter, Elder John, Deacon Timothy, Deacon Titus, etc. I simply call them as Peter, John, Timothy, Titus, etc. (Names were changed to protect the innocent.

)

I hope this helps. If you are still concerned, please explain why.

Thanks for your concern. May God help us to have a sincere love of truth,

m273p15c

email · Post by **email** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 1:31 pm

Well then explain Eph 4-11

Have a bless day

m273p15c · Post by **m273p15c** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 2:44 pm

I think I already did, since I referenced it above. So, I don't understand your question. You'll have to explain to me what you see as a contradiction. ... Thanks! ... m273p15c

email · Post by **email** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:05 pm

Sorry, I overlooked that. Thanks for explaining.

Have a bless day

m273p15c · Post by **m273p15c** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:08 pm

No problem. BTW, I guessed at what you were thinking. If you don't mind explaining, I would appreciate the help. I'd like to make the article as easy to understand as possible. ... Thanks! ... m273p15c

email · Post by **email** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:10 pm

Although m273p15c, I still cannot find the highlighted part of this scripture in any of the bibles I looked in. That seem to be added.

"They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. [color=rgb(255,255,0)]And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher[/color], the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:6-12 NKJ)

m273p15c · Post by **m273p15c** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:11 pm

Which versions (translations) are you checking? ... Thanks! ... m273p15c

email · Post by **email** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:14 pm

KVJ and AMP

m273p15c · Post by **m273p15c** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 4:09 pm

Thanks for the update. Have you looked at the translations and lexicons I mentioned in my first response? How does your KJV and AMP versions read?

email · Post by **email** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:13 pm

AMP - 8 But you are not to be called rabbi (teacher), for you have one Teacher and you are all brothers.

9 And do not call anyone [in the church] on earth father, for you have one Father, Who is in heaven.

10 And you must not be called masters (leaders), for you have one Master (Leader), the Christ.

11 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 Whoever exalts himself [[[url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?se ... AMP-23931c]c]with haughtiness and empty pride] shall be humbled (brought low), and whoever humbles himself [whoever has a modest opinion of himself and behaves accordingly] shall be [[url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?se ... AMP-23931d]d]raised to honor.

KJV - 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

m273p15c · Post by **m273p15c** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 8:54 am

Thanks for the post.

As follow up, what is the original Greek word for "master" in verse 10? What does it mean?

Do you believe that KJV and AMP are the only correct translations? If so, why?

Thanks!

m273p15c

email · Post by **email** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 10:29 am

I don't know what it is, please enlighten. I have no authority on which is correct, but if one is different than the rest I question why.

m273p15c · Post by **m273p15c** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 11:13 am

I included this in a previous email, but I am adding Strong's definition, which I previously accidentally overlooked.

The Greek word for "master" (KJV, AMP) or "teacher" (NKJV, NET, NIVO) is kathegetes, which is so defined according to the following Greek-English lexicons:

1) a guide 2) a master, teacher (Strong, #2519)

strictly guide, leader; in the NT teacher, instructor (Friberg, #14506)

teacher, leader, master (UBS, Barclay Newman, #3151)

one who provides instruction and guidance - 'teacher, instructor.' (Louw-Nida, #33.245)

a. properly, a guide: Numen. quoted in Ath. 7, p. 313 d. b. a master, teacher: Matt. 23:8 R G, 10. (Thayer, #2656)

teacher (Gingrich, #3302, p.97)

What do you think?

Thanks!

m273p15c

email · Post by **email** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 11:55 am

Thank you. I am glad to have met you m273p15c; you have enlighten me to somethings in the word. Please feel free to share more of the word with me. I am open to learning.

m273p15c · Post by **m273p15c** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 12:31 pm

You are welcome. Feel free to browse other articles and listen to sermons on the ISOT and WFS web-sites. I think you'll find them helpful to your studies. ... May God help us to have a sincere love of truth ... m273p15c

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