But then, Paul said in Acts 22:
No, Paul was using the term in a biological and genetic-relational sense, not as a religious title.
Let's see the context of Jesus' speech, Matthew 23:
καθηγηταί (kathēgētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2519: A leader, teacher, guide, master. From a compound of kata and hegeomai; a guide, i.e. a teacher.
There is one Father in heaven. There is one spiritual teacher-master who is the Christ. That's it. Every religious teacher on earth needs to stay humble and don't call themselves by egoistic religious titles.
Jesus set up parallelism of these 3 terms: rabbi-teacher-master || father || instructor-teacher-master. Now comes the point:
DJT_47 below noted 1 Corinthians 4:
What about the Catholic usage of the title "Father"?
As a systematic usage, I think it does violate the letter and the spirit of Matthew 23:9.
What about the title "Pastor"?
The current usage of the word does not carry egoistic connotations. I think it is okay. Titles are unavoidable in a large organization. We have to use some kinds of labels. So long as the labels are not egoistic, it is okay.
Did Paul contradict Jesus?1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”
2And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:
3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
No, Paul was using the term in a biological and genetic-relational sense, not as a religious title.
Let's see the context of Jesus' speech, Matthew 23:
It was about the scribes and Pharisees. They were religious leaders. That's the context.1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,
rabbi:6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.
The Pharisees enjoyed that egoistic title because they were egotistic themselves. Jesus' lesson was about character.my master, teacher ...
literally means, " 'My great one; my honorable sir.'
instructors,8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors [G2519], for you have one instructor, the Christ.
καθηγηταί (kathēgētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2519: A leader, teacher, guide, master. From a compound of kata and hegeomai; a guide, i.e. a teacher.
There is one Father in heaven. There is one spiritual teacher-master who is the Christ. That's it. Every religious teacher on earth needs to stay humble and don't call themselves by egoistic religious titles.
Jesus set up parallelism of these 3 terms: rabbi-teacher-master || father || instructor-teacher-master. Now comes the point:
Jesus worked up a strong figure of speech using parallelism to demonstrate this lesson. Don't let superficial titles puff you up. Stay humble. As a denotation, a label is okay if you stay humble with it. But don't employ egoistic titles.11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
DJT_47 below noted 1 Corinthians 4:
In a metaphorical sense of the word "father", Paul and some others were fathers of the Corinthians in that they spoke the gospel to them which caused them to believe. Even in the spiritual sense, it is true in the sense of in Christ Jesus. In terms of character, this usage does not contradict Jesus' word in Matthew 23:9. Paul, humbly became their spiritual father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors [G3807] in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
What about the Catholic usage of the title "Father"?
As a systematic usage, I think it does violate the letter and the spirit of Matthew 23:9.
What about the title "Pastor"?
The current usage of the word does not carry egoistic connotations. I think it is okay. Titles are unavoidable in a large organization. We have to use some kinds of labels. So long as the labels are not egoistic, it is okay.