Brief Overview of διδασκαλία (G1319: didaskalía)

Word Details

• Transliteration: διδασκαλία (didaskalía) [dee-das-ka-LEE-ah]
• Etymology: Derived from the root word διδάσκω (G1321: didáskō), which means to teach or instruct. The suffix -ία (-ía) forms abstract nouns in Greek, indicating the act, practice, or art of teaching.
• Part of Speech: Noun (feminine)
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• Teaching: Refers to the act or process of imparting knowledge or skills.
• Instruction: Implies the content or material that is taught, focusing on the substance of what is being conveyed.
• Doctrine: In a religious context, it refers to the body of teachings or principles that are considered authoritative within a particular faith or belief system.
• Education: Encompasses both formal and informal methods of learning, highlighting the broader process of acquiring knowledge or skills.

Further Insights

• Gender: Feminine
• Number: Singular
• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative, Vocative
• Declension: First

Further Insights Explained:

• διδασκαλία is a feminine noun that can appear in various grammatical cases, depending on its role in the sentence (e.g., subject, object). As a first-declension noun, its forms change according to case and number, though the word is most commonly used in its singular form. The term is specifically linked to the concept of teaching or instruction, whether in a formal or informal setting.

Disclaimer: The morphological details provided above reflect the general use of διδασκαλία as a feminine noun in the singular form. The word’s specific form and function may vary depending on its context within a sentence.

Lexicon Descriptions

BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich):

• διδασκαλία is defined as the act of teaching or instruction, with an emphasis on the content being taught. It is frequently used in the New Testament to refer to Christian teaching or doctrine, particularly as it relates to the faith and practice of the early church.
• Scripture References: 1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, Titus 1:9

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Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• Thayer describes διδασκαλία as meaning teaching or instruction, particularly in the context of religious education or doctrine. The term is often associated with the authoritative teachings of the church, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine in guiding the beliefs and practices of the faithful.
• Scripture References: 1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, Titus 1:9

Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

• Vine’s explains that διδασκαλία refers to teaching or doctrine, with a focus on the instruction provided by religious leaders. The term highlights the role of teaching in shaping the beliefs and behaviors of individuals within the Christian community.
• Scripture References: 1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, Titus 1:9

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones):

• LSJ defines διδασκαλία as teaching or instruction, particularly in an educational or doctrinal context. The term is used in both classical and biblical Greek to describe the process of imparting knowledge or skills, as well as the content of such instruction.
• Scripture References: 1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, Titus 1:9

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:

• Strong’s defines διδασκαλία as an abstract noun meaning instruction or doctrine, derived from διδάσκω (G1321: didáskō). The term is often used in the New Testament to refer to Christian teachings or doctrines, particularly those that are considered essential for the faith.
• Scripture References: 1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, Titus 1:9

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

• Plato, Protagoras: Plato uses διδασκαλία to describe the instruction given by the sophists, emphasizing the art of teaching as a means of imparting wisdom and knowledge.
• Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics: Aristotle employs the term in discussions about moral education, where διδασκαλία is used to describe the process of teaching ethical principles and virtues.
• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus uses διδασκαλία to refer to the teachings or instructions given by leaders or mentors, highlighting the importance of education in shaping the actions and beliefs of individuals.

Summary

διδασκαλία (G1319: didaskalía) is a Greek noun that primarily means teaching, instruction, or doctrine. Derived from διδάσκω (to teach), it emphasizes the act or process of imparting knowledge or skills, particularly in a religious or educational context. In the New Testament, διδασκαλία is frequently used to refer to Christian teachings or doctrines that guide the beliefs and practices of the early church (1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, Titus 1:9). The term is also prevalent in classical Greek literature, where it describes the process of education and the content of instruction in various disciplines, including philosophy, ethics, and rhetoric. Overall, διδασκαλία captures the concept of teaching and the transmission of knowledge, making it a significant term for understanding the role of instruction in both religious and secular contexts.