G1317 Skillful in Teaching 2c2
διδακτικός didaktikos (G1317) apt to teach, skillful in teaching
1 Timothy 3:2
2 A overseer (episkopos) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach (didaktikos);
“Apt to teach” comes from the Greek word διδακτικός didaktikos (G1317). It refers to one that is skilled in teaching. Skilled refers to an individual that has extensive training or experience. However, this does not necessarily make them a New Testament Teacher. One can have extensive training without the ability to teach well. Whereas skillful refers to one that has a talent or adeptness to teach.
A New Testament Teacher is one that is commissioned by the Holy Spirit to teach. One can have extensive training and still lack the skill to teach well. Training and experience does not make one a New Testament Teacher. One who is a New Testament Teacher has a gift placed in them by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will nurture this gift to make one a skillful teacher. A skillful New Testament Teacher will bring forth understanding in an individual when the Holy Spirit is operating. The amount of understanding by the individual that is being taught is dependent upon the following factors:
- Skillfulness of the Teacher.
- Spiritual maturity and spiritual reception of the student.
- The move of the Holy Spirit at the time.
As such, one could be skillful and no learning could be occurring. This was evident among many individuals in the New Testament.
As such, 1 Timothy 3:2 should have been translated:
2 A overseer (episkopos) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, skillful in teaching;
This variant affects one other scripture, former word is in parentheses.
2 Timothy 2:24
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all, skillful in teaching (apt to teach), patient,
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