What is the difference between preaching and teaching?

Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 19: Preaching is declaring or heralding the truth of God to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is evangelistic, proclaiming God's Good News that He has provided for the forgiveness of sins through His crucified Son, who took our guilt and died in our place. Preaching persuades people to receive Jesus Christ as their lord. Teaching, on the other hand, is not for the unconverted, but for the converted. Teaching enables those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord to grow in the grace and the knowledge of God. Preaching is for the sinner; teaching is for the saint. There has been far too much preaching in the church, and far too little teaching. In fact, the church has almost been preached to death. The church needs teaching so that more believers will grow and become mature in their relationship with Jesus Christ. From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-16.