“An overseer, then, must be … able to teach…” (1 Timothy 3:2).
This qualification goes hand in hand with the qualification of being faithful to the Word (Titus 1:9). The elder must not only “hold fast the faithful word” (Titus 1:9a), but he must be able to “exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:9b). To do this, he must be “able to teach” the Word. This is also true of anyone who wishes to be “the Lord’s bond-servant” (2 Tim 2:24).
The term kidaktos, translated “able” or “apt” (as the KJV puts it), is used only twice in Scripture, and only once outside of the bible (in Philo). Because of its paucity of occurrence, we cannot be precise in its meaning, but suffice it to say that an elder must have a certain ability in “accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). This means he is able to show from Scripture right teaching and understanding as the specific needs and questions arise in the normal course of shepherding. This does not necessarily mean an elder is required to have the spiritual gift of teaching (1 Cor 12:28-29, Rom 12:7), in that his primary ministry is may not be pulpit teaching or any other on-going teaching venue. Rather, he has the ability to expound the work as the need arises, whether publically or privately. Without this ability, how could he protect the flock from false teaching, except through laying out the correct teaching from the Word?
A large part of the eldership as a whole is involved in teaching the Word. Some may be gifted in the systematic teaching on a Sunday morning. Others may be more suited to Sunday school classes or small groups. All should be able to expound the Scripture when called upon, and when necessary in the normal life of shepherding others.