What's the Difference?

"When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities." Matthew 11:1

Teacher. Speaker. Preacher. Lecturer. Trainer. Educator. Mentor. What do you see in this list: synonyms, distinct offices, or just confused overspeak? English has so many words for these type of people and, based on how they are used in culture, the differences between them can be miniscule.

When you hear the word preacher, is this what you see?

Or this?


When you hear teacher, do you see this?


Throughout the last few months, a question has ebbed and flowed in my mind: what is the difference between teaching and preaching? My gut tells me there is one, but I have never seen a sufficient definition for them. I'm not implying they aren't out there, but they have yet to cross my path. (I thought about putting dictionary definitions here, but they were too worthless to waste space on.)

Throughout the New Testament we see the words "teach" and "preach" used together and separately, by many different writers. In the near future I intend on doing a word study of "teach" and "preach" in the OT and NT, but for now I want to set the stage. This is the beginning of a thought.

Here is what I think I know:

• American English (the only language for which I can speak with any shred of authority) often uses "preach" as a subset to a more general "teach." I suspect this is inaccurate.
  
• They are very similar, but have key differences.
• It is more than the size of the audience.
• It is more than the style of delivery.
• It is more than the content of the message.

The thing that makes those last three points true is the "more than," because I think audience, delivery, and message are a part of it, but the difference cannot be defined by those. They are more descriptive than prescriptive, perhaps.

What do you think? What is the difference between Teaching and Preaching? Ever heard a good definition of either? Have your own opinion? I want to hear it!