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APT TO TEACH

    The above phrase appears two times in Paul's letters to Timothy.  First, in giving the qualifications for bishops, he wrote, "A bishop then must be...apt to teach." (1 Timothy 3:2, KJV)  Then, in 2 Timothy 2:24, the apostle said, "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach..."  The NKJV and NASV both have "able to teach."

    The Greek word is the adjective didaktikos meaning skilled in teaching.  The verb form is didasko which is to give instruction. (W.E. Vine, pp. 1134, 1135) A.T. Robertson identifies the person as "one qualified to teach." (Word Studies, Vol. IV, p. 572)  "Ready" and "prepared" are offered as synonyms by Webster.

    I am thankful that our bishops are "apt to teach."  This thought was recently reinforced when I asked brother Jerry Phillips to teach the Wednesday night class on rather short notice.  A few weeks ago brother Scotty Yeaman preached on Sunday after I was unexpectedly hospitalized on Saturday.  Brethren R.W. Vincent, W.A. Gibbs, and Don Carter all teach regularly and have responded promptly when called upon in the past.

    I am thankful, too, that our elders urge others to study God's Word that they, too, might be "apt to teach."  I am grateful they encourage our younger men to be "apt to teach" by giving them opportunities to speak.  Jody Pritchett is the most recent to have spoken in my absence.  Several of our men are now doing the devotional and invitation on Wednesday evenings.  Other brethren, younger and older, have demonstrated the ability to teach God's Word.  Several of our ladies teach Bible classes presently or have in time past.  Others send out Bible study courses, share tracts, and correspond with female inmates.

    Each of us should strive to be "apt to teach."  Christianity is a teaching religion. (Matthew 28:18-20)  The early disciples understood this principle.  (Acts 8:4; 20:20) The simple gospel, when taught in sincerity and accompanied by an honest effort to live faithfully in God's service, continues to make an impression in today's world.

                                                                      Edward L. Anderson

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