The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;
apt to teach: This expression means, "Capable of teaching." Why should elders teach? Paul gives the answer in Ephesians 4:11-12 : "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Apt to teach means more than being a walking encyclopedia of doctrine. It means more than quoting scripture rapid-fire to shoot down an enemy. True, a good strong sermon filled with scripture that "reproves, rebukes, and exhorts with all long-suffering and doctrine" is needed in any congregation. But that is only one style of teaching. They need the ability to teach privately: to impart spiritual knowledge and advice quietly, reverently, skillfully, and lovingly. To teach well, one must study and know the word. An elder must "hold fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayer" (Titus 1:9).