from διδάσκω; (subjectively) instructed, or (objectively) communicated by teaching:--taught, which … teacheth.
Transliteration:didaktós
Pronunciation:did-ak-tos'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective διδακτός (didaktós, `{{G1318}}`) is derived from the verb διδάσκω (didaskō, `{{G1321}}`), meaning "to teach." As an adjective, διδακτός carries the sense of "taught," "instructed," or "that which is communicated by teaching." Its core meaning points to knowledge or understanding that is acquired through instruction, rather than being innate, intuitive, or self-derived. It emphasizes the external source of learning.
The semantic range of διδακτός encompasses both the subjective and objective aspects of teaching:
1. **Subjective (one who is taught):** Referring to individuals who have received instruction, implying a state of being educated or discipled. This highlights the recipient's passive role in receiving knowledge.
2. **Objective (that which is taught):** Referring to the content or method of teaching itself, emphasizing the communicated knowledge. This points to the nature of the instruction, whether human or divine.
Crucially, the word implies a deliberate act of imparting knowledge from a teacher to a learner, distinguishing it from spontaneous insight or natural discovery.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term διδακτός (didaktós, `{{G1318}}`) appears twice in the New Testament, each instance offering profound theological insight into the source and nature of true wisdom.
1. **[[John 6:45]]**: "It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me."
* In this passage, Jesus is explaining the necessity of divine drawing and teaching for one to come to Him. The phrase "taught of God" (θεοδίδακτοι, a related concept but διδακτός is the root idea here, as the Septuagint of [[Isaiah 54:13]] uses διδακτοὶ θεοῦ) directly echoes [[Isaiah 54:13]], "All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the prosperity of your children."
* Here, διδακτός underscores the divine authorship of spiritual understanding. It is not human reasoning or intellectual prowess that leads one to Christ, but a direct, supernatural instruction from God the Father. This teaching is not merely intellectual assent but an internal, transformative learning that results in coming to Jesus. The emphasis is on divine initiative and efficacy in spiritual illumination.
2. **[[1 Corinthians 2:13]]**: "And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual."
* Paul uses διδακτός here in a striking contrast. He distinguishes between two sources of teaching: "words not taught by human wisdom" (οὐκ ἐν διδακτοῖς ἀνθρωπίνης σοφίας λόγοις) and "words taught by the Spirit" (ἀλλ’ ἐν διδακτοῖς πνεύματος).
* This verse is central to Paul's argument about the nature of divine revelation and the inadequacy of human wisdom to grasp spiritual truths. The "words taught by human wisdom" refer to rhetoric, philosophy, or persuasive techniques derived from human intellect. In contrast, the "words taught by the Spirit" refer to the content and manner of proclaiming the gospel, which originates directly from the Holy Spirit's revelation.
* The use of διδακτός emphasizes that the apostles' message was not their own invention or intellectual construct, but a divinely imparted revelation, communicated in a manner consistent with its divine source. It highlights the Spirit's role in both revealing truth to the apostles and enabling its communication and understanding by believers.
In both occurrences, διδακτός points to a form of instruction that is fundamentally distinct from and superior to humanly derived knowledge, emphasizing its divine origin and spiritual nature.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding διδακτός (didaktós, `{{G1318}}`) is rich with terms related to teaching and learning in the New Testament:
* **διδάσκω (didaskō, `{{G1321}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to teach, instruct, explain." This is the active process from which διδακτός, the passive result, derives.
* **διδασκαλία (didaskalia, `{{G1319}}`):** "Teaching, instruction, doctrine." This noun refers to the act of teaching or the content of what is taught.
* **διδάσκαλος (didaskalos, `{{G1320}}`):** "Teacher, master." This noun refers to the one who teaches.
* **διδαχή (didachē, `{{G1322}}`):** "Teaching, doctrine." Similar to διδασκαλία, often referring to the specific content or manner of teaching.
* **σοφία (sophia, `{{G4678}}`):** "Wisdom." In [[1 Corinthians 2:13]], διδακτός is contrasted with "human wisdom," highlighting the distinction between worldly knowledge and divine insight.
* **πνεῦμα (pneuma, `{{G4151}}`):** "Spirit." The Holy Spirit is identified as the divine teacher in [[1 Corinthians 2:13]], underscoring His role in revealing and imparting spiritual truths.
* **ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis, `{{G602}}`):** "Revelation." The concept of being "taught of God" or "taught by the Spirit" aligns closely with the idea of divine revelation, where God unveils truths otherwise inaccessible to human understanding.
These related terms collectively paint a picture of a theological framework where God is the ultimate teacher, the Holy Spirit is the divine instructor, and the content of this teaching is spiritual truth that transcends human capacity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of διδακτός (didaktós, `{{G1318}}`) is profound, centering on the source and nature of true spiritual knowledge:
1. **Divine Origin of Spiritual Understanding:** The primary theological implication is that genuine spiritual understanding and the ability to come to Christ are not products of human effort, intellect, or persuasion, but are divinely imparted. As [[John 6:45]] states, "they shall all be taught of God." This underscores God's sovereignty in salvation and revelation. True faith is not merely a human decision but a response enabled by divine teaching.
2. **The Spirit as the Divine Instructor:** [[1 Corinthians 2:13]] clearly articulates the Holy Spirit's indispensable role in teaching spiritual truths. The Spirit not only reveals God's mysteries to His chosen messengers but also enables believers to comprehend these truths. This highlights the Spirit's active ministry in illumination and sanctification, ensuring that God's message is accurately conveyed and received.
3. **Contrast with Human Wisdom:** The use of διδακτός emphatically distinguishes between wisdom derived from human sources and that which originates from God. Human wisdom, though valuable in its own sphere, is inherently insufficient and even antithetical to grasping divine realities. This distinction challenges reliance on human intellect or worldly philosophies as means to spiritual enlightenment, redirecting focus to God's revelation.
4. **Foundation of Apostolic Authority:** For Paul, the fact that his message was "taught by the Spirit" (διδακτοῖς πνεύματος) provided the ultimate validation for his apostolic authority and the truthfulness of the gospel he preached. It was not his own invention but a divine trust, ensuring its purity and power.
5. **The New Covenant Promise:** The concept of being "taught of God" resonates with the New Covenant promise in [[Jeremiah 31:33-34]] (cited in [[Hebrews 8:10-11]]), where God's law is written on hearts, and "no longer shall each one teach his neighbor... for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest." While human teachers remain, the ultimate, internal, and efficacious teaching comes from God Himself.
In essence, διδακτός points to a knowledge that is supernaturally given, divinely authored, and spiritually discerned, forming the bedrock of true faith and understanding in the Christian life.
### Summary
The Greek adjective διδακτός (didaktós, `{{G1318}}`) signifies "taught" or "instructed," emphasizing knowledge acquired through an external source rather than being innate. Its two occurrences in the New Testament are profoundly significant. In [[John 6:45]], it highlights that coming to Christ is a result of being "taught of God," underscoring divine initiative in spiritual understanding, fulfilling the prophecy of [[Isaiah 54:13]]. In [[1 Corinthians 2:13]], Paul contrasts words "taught by human wisdom" with those "taught by the Spirit," asserting that true spiritual truths are not humanly conceived but divinely revealed and communicated by the Holy Spirit.
Theologically, διδακτός underscores the divine origin of spiritual knowledge, the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit as the ultimate instructor, and the inherent inadequacy of human wisdom to comprehend God's truth. It reinforces the concept that salvation and spiritual insight are gifts of God, received through His gracious teaching rather than human effort or intellectual prowess. This word thus powerfully articulates the supernatural foundation of Christian faith and revelation.
TRV