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1 Timothy 3:2 – Able to Teach
“Able to Teach” (1 Timothy 3:2)
“Able to teach” (1 Tim.3:2) gets too much of the wrong kind of attention. By that I mean we ask the wrong questions:
1. Is he able to preach sermons?
2. Is he skilled in organizing material?
3. Is he able to teach and preach both publicly and privately?
These wrong ways focus too much on the man’s skill.
So what is the right way to view “able to teach”?
When we compare these men who desire the noble work of being an elder, to the men who “want to be teachers” (1 Timothy 1:7); we learn the contextual meaning of “able to teach”:
1. “Not false doctrine/teaching” (1:3). Then Paul lists what today we could call “hobby horses”.
2. “God’s plan which operates by faith” (1:4). This is another way of saying “the gospel”.
3. Able to use the “law” correctly (1:8). It’s purpose is for sinners, to show people how they have failed (1:9). It is not for demonstrating how to become righteous in God’s sight.
4. Able to know “sound doctrine/teaching” (1:10). Paul further describes this as “that (which) conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God” (1 Timothy 1:11).
Before I reveal the 5th point, we can see the emphasis is on the gospel and it’s purpose, plan, and effects.
5. “The goal” (1:5). What is the goal of being able to teach? “Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5).
Able to teach is far more than skill and information.
1. It includes that teaching which leads to something greater than the ability to score high on a “correct doctrine” test.
2. It includes the gospel. (1:11). This leads to knowing we are not justified by law (1:9), but by faith (1:5).
3. It includes and knows the goal of good teaching is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith (1:5).
4. It includes glorifying our blessed God (1:11).
Can we see how we should view able to teach as being less about the man’s skill, and more about God and God’s ways? Our focus should be on does this man who desires a noble work know God’s plan of faith, and helping others live out the gospel? Able to teach is about changing lives, protecting changed lives, and not about oration skills.
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