Original Word: διδαχή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: didaché
Pronunciation: dee-dakh-AY
Phonetic Spelling: (did-akh-ay')
KJV: doctrine, hath been taught
NASB: teaching, instruction, teachings
Word Origin: [from G1321 (διδάσκω - teaching)]

1. instruction (the act or the matter)

doctrine, teaching

From didasko; instruction (the act or the matter) -- doctrine, hath been taught.

see GREEK didasko

Cognate: 1322 didax (from 1321 /didáskō, "to teach") – established teaching, especially a "summarized" body of respected teaching (viewed as reliable, time-honored).

[The NT uses two feminine nouns (1319 /didaskalía, 1322 /didaxḗ) from the same root. For more on this see 1319 /didaskalía ("applied-teaching, systematic theology").]

Word Origin
from didaskó
Definition
doctrine, teaching
NASB Translation
instruction (2), teaching (27), teachings (1).

STRONGS NT 1322: διδαχή

διδαχή, διδαχῆς ἡ (διδάσκω) (from Herodotus down);

1. teaching, viz. that which is taught: Mark 1:27; John 7:16; Acts 17:19; Rom. (); ; 2 John 1:10; Revelation 2:24; ἡ διδαχή τίνος, one's doctrine, i. e. what he teaches: Matthew 7:28; Matthew 16:12; Matthew 22:33; Mark 1:22; Mark 11:18; Luke 4:32; John 18:19; Acts 5:28; Revelation 2:14f; ἡ διδαχή of God, τοῦ κυρίου, τοῦ Χριστοῦ, the doctrine which has God, Christ, the Lord, for its author and supporter: John 7:17; Acts 13:12; 2 John 1:9; with the genitive of the object, doctrine, teaching, concerning something: Hebrews 6:2 (Winer's Grammar, 187 (176); 192 (181); 551 (513)); plural Hebrews 13:9.

2. (the act of) teaching, instruction, (cf. διδασκαλία (on the supposed distinction between the two words and their use in the N. T. see Ellicott on 2 Timothy 4:2; they are associated in 2 Timothy 4:2, 3; Titus 1:9)): Acts 2:42; 2 Timothy 4:2; ἐν τῇ διδαχή, while he was teaching, a phrase by which the Evangelist indicates that he is about to cite some of the many words which Jesus spoke at that time, Mark 4:2; Mark 12:38; τοῦ κατά τήν διδαχήν πιστοῦ λόγου, the faithful word which is in accordance with the received (2 Timothy 3:14) instruction, Titus 1:9; in particular, the teaching of the διδάσκαλος (which see 6) in the religious assemblies of Christians: λαλεῖν ἐν διδαχή, to speak in the way of teaching, in distinction from other modes of speaking in public, 1 Corinthians 14:6; ἔχω διδαχήν, to have something to teach, 1 Corinthians 14:26.

Overview

The word translated “teaching” or “doctrine” (Greek 1322) designates the authoritative body of truth imparted by Christ, proclaimed by the apostles, and preserved in Scripture for the formation of faith and life. It appears thirty times in the New Testament and always carries the sense of content that must be believed, obeyed, and safeguarded.

Teaching in the Ministry of Jesus

From the outset, Jesus’ public work was marked by powerful teaching that contrasted sharply with the scribes. “They were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority” (Mark 1:22; see also Matthew 7:28; Luke 4:32). He publicly affirmed that what He delivered originated in the Father: “My teaching is not My own; it comes from the One who sent Me” (John 7:16). The crowds recognized the uniqueness of His doctrine (Matthew 22:33), and His opponents probed Him about it in vain (John 18:19).

Teaching in Apostolic Practice

After the resurrection and Pentecost, the church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42). This teaching embodied all that Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:20) and became the rule of faith across the Mediterranean world (Acts 13:12; 17:19). Paul celebrated the Roman believers who had “become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were committed” (Romans 6:17). He urged pastors to “hold firmly to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9).

Sound Doctrine versus False Teaching

New Testament writers repeatedly contrast genuine doctrine with corrupt substitutes. Jesus warned against Pharisaic “teaching” that leavened minds (Matthew 16:12). Paul cautioned believers to “watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned” (Romans 16:17). John drew a decisive line: “Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God” (2 John 1:9), instructing the church to refuse hospitality to such deceivers (2 John 1:10). In Revelation, the risen Christ condemns the “teaching of Balaam” (Revelation 2:14), the “teaching of the Nicolaitans” (Revelation 2:15), and any “other teaching” that lures saints into compromise (Revelation 2:24).

Role in Discipleship and Sanctification

Doctrine is not mere information; it molds character. Hebrews lists “instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment” among the elementary teachings believers are expected to master (Hebrews 6:2). As disciples submit to sound teaching, they are transformed in heart and conduct (Romans 6:17), safeguarded from “various strange teachings” (Hebrews 13:9), and equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 4:2).

Teaching within Corporate Worship

Teaching functions alongside prayer, praise, and prophecy in gathered worship. “When you come together, each of you has a hymn, a word of instruction…” (1 Corinthians 14:26). Paul values it as one of the primary ways the church is built up (1 Corinthians 14:6). In Jerusalem, the authorities acknowledged that the apostles had “filled Jerusalem with your teaching” even under threat of imprisonment (Acts 5:28).

Eschatological and Pastoral Warnings

As the age advances, the danger of distorted doctrine escalates. Timothy is exhorted to “preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season… with complete patience and instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). Elders must continually guard the flock from deceptive teachings that can ruin households and entire congregations (Titus 1:9; Revelation 2–3).

Historical Legacy in the Early Church

By the late first century the concept of authoritative teaching was so central that an anonymous manual, later known as “The Didache,” circulated among churches summarizing “the teaching of the Lord through the Twelve Apostles.” While not Scripture, its very title reflects the New Testament conviction that apostolic doctrine must direct faith and practice.

Application for Contemporary Ministry

1. Centralize biblical teaching: preaching, catechism, and discipleship should revolve around the whole counsel of God.
2. Test every message: measure sermons, books, and cultural claims against the apostolic teaching deposited in Scripture.
3. Cultivate obedience: doctrine aims at transformed living, not abstract speculation.
4. Guard the flock: identify and refute error, knowing that false teaching erodes holiness and hinders mission.
5. Pass it on: entrust sound doctrine to faithful believers who will teach others also (cf. 2 Timothy 2:2).

The enduring presence of “teaching” (Greek 1322) in the New Testament underscores God’s design: truth proclaimed with authority, received in faith, and embodied in lives that glorify Christ.

διδαχαις διδαχαίς διδαχαῖς διδαχη διδαχή διδαχὴ διδαχῇ διδαχην διδαχήν διδαχὴν διδαχης διδαχής διδαχῆς didachais didachaîs didache didachē didachḗ didachḕ didachêi didachē̂i didachen didachēn didachḕn didaches didachês didachēs didachē̂sInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts