3. Sincerity: Aphtharsia
cannot endure gravity in doctrine will become a shallow people incapable of weathering profound suffering or engaging in profound worship.
3. Sincerity: Aphtharsia The word aphtharsia is closely related to adiaphthoria and also means incorruptibility, but with an emphasis on sincerity and genuineness. It is the opposite of hypocrisy or pretense. Doctrine must not only be pure in content; it must be pure in motive. The sincere teacher does not use doctrine for personal gain, to build a platform, or to manipulate an audience. He speaks because he is constrained by the truth itself.
Paul exemplified this sincerity when he wrote to the Corinthians, "For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:17). The word
"peddling" refers to the huckster who adulterates his product for profit. The sincere teacher refuses to tamper with the message, even when an unadulterated message is less popular. His audience is not ultimately the