The Gift of the Teacher
© by Gary W. Crisp

Teachers of the Word

Ephesians 4:11e : “The gifts He gave were that some would be teachers.”

But, before we begin...

If you don’t mind too much, please allow me a few personal observations before we get to the actual definition of the Teacher. As a teacher myself, I am very much aware that the words I “speak” can be quickly and easily judged. As one sister so aptly put it: “On the WWW (World Wide Web), my words have the potential to reach out to all the world...” That sister, “Patricia Mehlberg”, helped put into perspective what many of us are doing, as we place our teachings on the Internet. And that perspective is a most frightening and humbling perspective. It is not a thought to glory in, nor is it one to take comfort in, for some day one of our teachers may find themselves reading what we are now teaching. Will they say, “Well done, good and faithful student of mine.” Or will they wince and turn away in shame at the damage we are doing to the Body of Christ?

Even more of a concern is “What will Jesus think?” As a teacher, I am reminded of what the Lord said, in Luke 12:48: “For to whom much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask even more.” This is a most sobering thought, especially when linked with what Paul says in 1st Timothy 5:17 & 18: “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the Word and doctrine. For the scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn’. And, ‘The labourer is worthy of his reward’.”

Treading Out the Corn

The “ox that treads out the corn” (mentioned here by Paul) is a reference back to the Old Testament, and it is dealing with those who are “a workman, a hired servant, or anyone hired to do a job”. The texts he refers to, Deuteronomy 25:4 and Leviticus 9:13, as well as Deuteronomy 24:14-15 are also mentioned by Jesus in both Matthew 10:10 and Luke 10:7. The thought here is that the ox, or hired worker, should be allowed to partake of the work in which he is involved.

This could be many things, but basically it means to pay those who are called of God to be teachers, for they are worthy. Not for the words they speak, but rather for the work they do in getting to the words they speak. By this I mean the studying, the searching out of scripture, the hours spent to reference some Truth of the Lord, to assure it will not be found wanting or lacking in the balance. For the words “treading out the corn” mean to “break or tread down; to tear, to thresh, to separate”.

A good teacher will spend hours separating and threshing, dividing man’s truth from God’s Truth; a good teacher will search, research and re-research, taking nothing for granted, making certain that the food they will “distribute” to the people of the Lord is fit to be eaten, chewed and digested. After all...if all that we “eat” (spiritually speaking) gives us “indigestion”, “heartburn”, or even something as deadly as food poisoning -- then maybe we need to re-evaluate that which we ingest. That it is why it is of the utmost importance that what a teacher “teaches” will have a healthy effect on the Body of Christ, once it has been “assimilated”. All the good teachers I have known -- the ones that have meant so much to me in the way that they “fed me” -- have been tremendous studiers of the Word. So, a good teacher will gladly “tread out the corn”.

Finally, on that thought, Paul explains in 1st Corinthians 9:7-11:

“Who goes to warfare any time at his own charges (paying his own way)? And who plants a vineyard, and is not allowed to eat of the fruit thereof? Or who feeds a flock (meaning, here, a shepherd), and does not eat of the milk of the flock? Am I saying these things as a man, or doesn’t the law say the same things as well?

For it is written in the law of Moses, ‘You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn’. Does God say this, caring for the oxen, or is He saying it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt. This is also written: ‘He that plows should plow in hope; and he that threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope’.”

Teachers Have a Grave Responsibility

I have not said all of these things simply to proclaim that teachers called of God must get money for the work they do in the Kingdom of God. Most have never gotten paid; most never will; and truthfully, most don’t really care. They just delight in sharing His Word with any hungry heart who will listen. Payment for services rendered is not the issue here. Then what is? Very simply this: Responsibility. “To whom much is given” and “double honour”...these words are weighty words. I have heard it said that those to whom God imparts “more”, upon them falls a heavier burden, and to anyone worthy of “double honour”, to them also falls a “double responsiblity”.

Some believe that teachers who stand before the Lord at the Great Bema-Seat Judgment will have much to fear, if they have not been faithful to His Word. Romans 14:10 & 2nd Corinthians 5:10 both speak of the “Bema-Seat” or Judgment Seat of Christ, and all who stand at that judgment truly, truly, truly want to be ever so certain that they have been careful to teach truth, His Truth, and only His Truth. All who truly teach should be stricken with the acute awareness that what we teach, and what words we impart to others as “His Truth”, will one day be judged and weighed in the balance, and none of us wants to be found “lacking” in anything on that Day.

And now...let us take a closer look at what a Teacher of the Lord should be.

Who is the Teacher?

The final gift of the Five-fold Ministry is the Teacher. It’s odd, but even teachers in the everyday world receive the least of attention, usually matched by the least of salaries. I’m not sure why teachers would be listed as last among the Gifts that Christ gives to the Church, because without good, sound teaching the Body of Christ will be weak, confused and aimless. One of the duties of a teacher (even though it may fall under the task of any of the other four offices) is to instruct in the area of doctrine. We can derive this from the Greek words didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee’-ah) and didache (did-akh-ay’), meaning: “the act of instructing; among other things, teaching doctrine”. Tied very closely to “doctrine” is the Greek word for teacher, didaskalos (did-as’-kal-os). This word gives us the English word “instructor”. To many of us, that could have various and different meanings: Doctor, master, teacher, professor...but let me try and tear down a very strong and powerful misconception that has swept through (and gripped) the Church of the Lord Jesus. It is one of the errors and problems in the Body today.

“The Myth and the Misconception of Letters”

This, at least, is what I call this problem in the church today. The misconception is the belief and assumption that any and all who “teach” (at least in a large gathering) must have letters before or following their name. What do I mean? I simply mean this: When our minds and our hearts are turned toward and are prone to only accept the Drs. and/or Professors or the Rev. So-and-sos; when John Doe, M.A., Ph.D is all we care about or will listen to; or when any other numerous versions of what the world calls “learned men” (or women) are all our churches and our people want to be associated with...then, we have fallen under the spell of the myth of who and what a teacher really is, and we have allowed a very common misconception to rule our hearts, our lives and our churches.

Letters after one’s name does not a doctor make; nor does it guarantee any depth in the spirit or any spirituality, for that matter. Paul, who boldly claimed that he was a very learned man, in the same breath denounced all of his worldly and vain knowledge, as did Moses. Let’s take a look at one of my favorite passages of the Apostle Paul who, by the way, was also a teacher (see 1st Timothy 2:7 & 2nd Timothy 1:11) -- but for now, let’s look at Philippians 3:3-14 --

“For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and we rejoice in Jesus Christ, and have no confidence in the flesh, even though I might claim to have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has some reason to trust in the flesh, I have more of a reason, for --

  • I was circumcised on the eighth day
  • Being of the stock of Israel (of the tribe of Benjamin), I was a Hebrew of the Hebrews
  • When it came to the law, I was a Pharisee
  • Concerning zeal, I persecuted the church
  • Touching the righteousness of the law, I was blameless
  • But...whatever things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ

“And with a surety, I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord. It is for Him I have gladly suffered the loss of all things, and I consider them but dung, that I may win Christ, and that I may be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that I might have that righteousness which is through the faith of Christ; the righteousness which is of God by faith. And I desire to know Him, the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, even as He helps me become conformed to his death (if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

“It is not as though I have already attained, neither am I already perfect; but I follow after, so that I may apprehend that for which I am also apprehended of Jesus Christ. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have arrived, nor have I fully comprehended all things, but this one thing I do: I forget all those things which are behind, and I reach forth to those things which are before, and I press toward the mark for the Prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

This is a most wonderful and powerful portion of scripture. First of all, it allows us to glimpse into the mind and heart of Paul, whom some consider one of the greatest (if not the greatest, next to Christ Himself) men ever to have walked the earth. And yet, as great as he may have been, he knew... he understood... he had come to terms with one very simple fact: Without Jesus Christ, the Lord and God Who created heaven and earth, Paul was nothing. As he describes it, he was worse than nothing, as a filthy dung heap.

Paul fully and completely comprehended what Christ had done for him. Every day he thanked Him for it; every day he expressed it, somehow, in some way, to someone, or just to God Himself. Paul knew; and he pressed ever onward, til the day he would finally reach his goal: One day meeting the same Christ Who had confronted a wayward, misguided soul on the dusty road to Damascus. That was what Paul longed for; what he lived for; but until then, he would be satisfied teaching and preaching and reaching as many other wayward souls as he could. That is what a teacher does. They pour out all that God has poured in.

Zadok and Abiathar...again?

Another thing this portion of Paul’s writings tells us is that he clearly saw that earthly knowledge was just that: Earthly; and carnal, and futile. Even fine, religious earthly knowledge had no real heavenly value. After his conversion. Paul had to get away, alone and all to himself (see Galatians 1:15-20. From Damascus, he went to the Arabian desert, and there he found out what he must unlearn, in order that he might be taught properly by the Teacher of teachers. He was taught specially by Christ Himself (Galatians 1:12). This special revelation was why Paul could say that learning in the best universities does not guarantee spiritual Truth. Ph.D’s, Masters degrees, or even “Reverend” before one’s name does not constitute righteousness or even the ability to minister or teach. And yet, the church today seems to think just that. Even in our best churches.

This is where we met Zadok and Abiathar, but we’ll not go back there... I have made links here if you must go back and see that teaching. Suffice it to say that Paul spent much, if not most, of his teaching and writing minstry trying to differentiate between Zadok and Abiathar ministers and ministry; teaching the differences between flesh and Spirit, and showing the distinction between wearing wool and wearing the priestly linen garments (sorry...you’ll just have to read the aforementioned teachings to get this one). In spite of all the scripture; in spite of all Paul’s writings; in spite of all that Jesus had to say, still the church insists on planning and plotting and assuring that only those “acceptable” in their eyes will minister in their pulpits.

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the same questions asked, when it comes to considering someone ministering in the churches I have been in... “Do they have a degree?”... “If they play, how well do they play an instrument?”... “What qualifications do they have?” My heart has been saddened, as I believe God’s has, and I have cried, even as He must. The Spirit has been grieved, time and again! Where is the discernment in our churches? In our ministers? In our pastors??? There is more to determining a minister’s worth to our congregation than finding out what degrees, what school or what “papers” they may hold. The same is true as to what musical talents they may have, e.g. piano, guitar or drums. What is more important is what heart do they have? Do they worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth?? Can they truly lead others in worship, into God’s Presence?

So many times I have winced in pain as I see a pastor being drawn to some minister (either preacher or musician) whose only goal is to “perform”, entertain or further their own little kingdom-ministry. And by the time that pastor finds out what is going on, the damage to the Body, to that pastor’s church and to that pastor’s sheep has already been accomplished... and often it’s too late to prevent any damage. It may not necessarily be irreparable damage, but it usually is the kind of damage that remains “hidden” or covered up, and no one is none too interested in tending to the mess left behind. I have seen this happen countless times, and I am always amazed (and saddened) at the neglect to that kind of situation. Why does this happen? Over and over and over, even in the best of America’s churches? Well, let us take a look at one reason...

Saul...or David?

What generally happens is this: We get so “caught up” and overwhelmed by the appearance of the Sauls in our midst that we can barely even see the Davids, much less ever get a chance to consider them as leaders among us. That is why the likeness of Saul rules so much in the Body of Christ today. Dear Church, we must choose properly and wisely when we allow someone to come into our congregations to minister to us or (God help us) even to come rule over us, even as a pastor does. I have addressed this situation, this “struggle” between flesh and Spirit, between carnality and spirituality and between the holy and profane at length in the two teachings on Zadok and Abiathar (mentioned in the paragraph above). Please, if you have any doubt as to what I’m referring to, read those teachings (they are lengthy, but I believe they will answer many questions). And, if you have any questions concerning the difference between soul and Spirit, Spirit and flesh, man’s spirit (little “s”) and the Holy Spirit (big “S”) -- and all of these versus demonic spirits -- let me know via e-mail (see link below). As I often say: I may not have all the answers, but if I am able to “help” in the smallest of ways I will.

Now, as to the quesion why many churches (and pastors) choose to allow carnal-thinking people into their pulpits and over their flocks... I have a suggestion: Their discernment level has dropped dangerously low. First of all, and most importantly -- when it comes to those we allow to minister (in any capacity) in our churches -- do they know the Lord? Truly know Him and know how to worship Him? Is their heart knit with our hearts? Do they sincerely love God and His people?

Unfortunately, if our hearts are not right (as we seek those to rule over us), then we attract many soulish and carnal people who end up coming into our congregations, gradually usurping the pastor’s authority and they begin to fulfill their goals and their dreams...ruling, controlling and even “performing” in our churches.

To go to Part 2 of “The Gift of the Teacher”, click here.

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