God’s Word for You
2 Timothy 4:3 Sound doctrine
by Pastor Timothy Smith on Friday, July 10, 2026
3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather teachers for themselves to say what their itching ears want to hear.
“Sound doctrine” is briefly summarized by Paul in the preceding verses, in which he describes the relationship of God the Father and God the Son, the approaching return of Christ to judge the living and the dead, his physical appearing at that time, and also his kingdom which is ruling in people’s hearts through his word. Other key doctrines such as creation, Christ’s incarnation, the law that condemns and the gospel that forgives, and the means of grace, which is the gospel in word and sacrament. This is not an exhaustive list, since that would have to include all of the Bible’s teaching, but it is sufficient for us to see that the chief teachings are certainly the ones that are covered in the Small Catechism.
Since I have no inclination at all to make a list of false teachings that “suit the desires” of those who have itching ears and need those ears tickled by something other than Christ crucified, I will instead try to accomplish two things here. First, I want to review the very basics of the Catechism to try to drive some hearts to return to that excellent book in order to see which passages prove and display those few key doctrines. And second, I will try to reiterate Paul’s warning about those who turn away from those doctrines.
The Catechism begins with the Ten Commandments. After quoting each one (from Exodus 20:3-17) Luther explains each commandment with an emphasis on the way Jesus explains them, especially in the Sermon on the Mount, such that even having lustful thoughts or looks violates the Sixth Commandment not to commit adultery (see Matthew 5:27-28). Then, after all these, Luther draws out Exodus 20:5-6 and uses that as the Conclusion to all of the Commandments, showing God’s wrath for sin by punishing it, but also showing God’s grace by the way he shows love to those who love and believe in him and who strive to keep his commandments.
Next is the Apostles’ Creed, which is not part of the New Testament but which summarizes the role of God the Father, the life, ministry, sacrifice, death and resurrection of God the Son, and the work of the Holy Spirit (the Creed was written early in the Second Century). Until the Sixteenth Century, the Creed was divided into twelve parts, and by the time of Luther’s childhood, it was rarely taught or learned, but spoken without explanation in churches in Latin, not understood by very many if any of the people saying it. Luther translated it into German and urged parents to teach it to their children in three parts, one for each Person of the Trinity, to make it easier to learn and to understand (see Luther’s introduction in the Large Catechism, paragraphs 5-6).
After the Creed, the Catechism presents the Lord’s Prayer. Luther was adamant that this be included, “impelled especially by dismay over the ignorance of the people whom he encountered when he visited parishes in Saxony during the fall of 1528.” He said, “What wretchedness I beheld! The common people, especially those who live in the country, have no knowledge whatever of Christian teaching, and unfortunately many pastors are quite incompetent and unfitted for teaching. Although the people are supposed to be Christian, are baptized, and receive the holy sacrament, they do not know the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, or the Ten Commandments, they live as if they were pigs and irrational beasts, and now that the Gospel has been restored [that is, since the Reformation began in 1517] they have mastered the fine art of abusing liberty.” The pastor wants all of his dear people to know the Lord’s Prayer and its meaning, so that they will always be able to pray that their Father in heaven would deliver them from every evil that threatens body and soul, property and reputation, and finally, when their last hour comes, God would grant them a blessed end and graciously take them from this world of sorrow and tears to himself in heaven.
The Catechism presents the meaning of Baptism, so that the Christian will remember that baptism means that the Old Adam in us should be drowned by daily contrition and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be put to death. It also means that a new person should daily arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
After this, Luther explained the Lord’s Supper (the faculty at Wittenberg added the explanation of the Ministry of the Keys). In the Supper, it is especially vital to remember that it is not the eating and drinking that gives forgiveness and life, but the very words “Given” and “poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Whoever believes these words has what they plainly say, the forgiveness of sins. Whoever does not believe these words or doubts them is not prepared for the Supper, because the words “for you” require nothing but hearts that believe.
Those who turn away from these doctrines, along with all of the others that Christ and his Apostles reveal to us, will be drawn into the clutches of the devil, whatever path they think that they travel in life. For when Christ says, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6) he means very simply that there is no other pathway to heaven and everlasting life except through him, and this must include all of his words, for it is by his words that we know him. Satan’s power is an evil will that lends speed and ease to the foes of Christ and sets an unseen barrier before Christ’s servants; a weariness that is in the heart more than in the limb. Therefore we pray “that the Lord our God may show us the way we would go and what we should do” (Jeremiah 42:3). And again, “Put false ways far from me, and graciously teach me your word!” (Psalm 119:29). We also pray that those who follow false teachers would set aside errors, stop following their own itching ears, and put their faith only in Jesus for their forgiveness, and be rescued by our loving Lord. We treasure God’s forgiveness, and dearly treasure his grace and every blessing. These are his kind and loving words to us all.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm, Minnesota. To receive God’s Word for You via e-mail, please visit the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church website.