False teachers

Those who teach error and in so doing lead others astray. They are to be distinguished from false prophets who are equally condemned in Scripture.

The OT prophets warned God's people against being led astray by false teachers

Isaiah 9:16; Ezekiel 34:2 See also Isaiah 3:12, Isaiah 8:20; Jeremiah 2:8, Jeremiah 10:21, Jeremiah 23:1; Ezekiel 22:26; Malachi 2:7–8

For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock?

Jesus Christ condemned false teachers

He opposed legalism and hypocrisy

Matthew 5:19

So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

He identified the teachers of the law and Pharisees as false teachers

Matthew 23:1–33 parallel Luke 11:42–52 See also Matthew 15:14

He warned his followers against them

Matthew 16:6, Matthew 16:12 parallels Mark 8:15, Luke 12:1

“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Then they understood that He was not telling them to beware of the leaven used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The condemnation of false teachers in the early church

Paul urges his readers to avoid false teachers

1 Timothy 6:3–6 See also Acts 20:29–31; Romans 16:17–18; 2 Corinthians 11:3–4 The Corinthian church had been undiscerningly tolerant of Jewish deceivers in their midst; Ephesians 4:14COL Ephesians 2:4, Colossians 2:81TI Colossians 1:3–4, 1 Timothy 1:7 1 Timothy 4:1–3, 1 Timothy 6:20–21; Titus 1:10–11; Hebrews 13:9; 2 John 1:9–10REV 2 John 2:6, Revelation 2:15 Revelation 2:14 the followers of Balaam; Revelation 2:20

If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain. Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.

Hymenaeus and Philetus are cited as examples of false teachers

2 Timothy 2:17–18

Those who teach will be judged particularly strictly

James 3:1 See also 2 Corinthians 11:13–15; Galatians 1:6–9, Galatians 5:10

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.