Able To Teach

First Timothy 3:2 says:

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; (NKJV)

"Able to teach"  So how did Jesus model it?

Matthew 7:28:

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,

Mark 1:22:

And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

Luke 4:32:

and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority
Luke 24:32
Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?

(all ESV)

Well, we can see Jesus' teaching did much more than just transfer information or knowledge.  Now knowledge is good, but inspiration is... well, better.  Knowledge is a tool we need, but inspiration gives us energy.

Knowledge builds the mind, and if it is the mind of Christ, that's wonderful.  However, the mind of Christ within us depends foundationally on the inspiration we receive in our hearts.

So, I believe that in the description of a true bishop in I Timothy 3, the ability to teach includes the ability to inspire.

Larry Carroll