When Zeal Meets Teachability

Leadership guru John Maxwell often cites the importance of being teachable as a necessary quality for Leadership. In one of his seminars, Maxwell offered this observation:

“Teachability is not so much about competence and mental capacity as it is about attitude. It is the desire to listen, learn, and apply. It is the hunger to discover and grow. It is the willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

Unfortunately, some folks, while passionate and zealous about their beliefs, lack this trait. Because of either pride, resistance to change, or laziness, they lack the willingness to unlearn something incorrect and learn something new.

Today’s Bible character who exhibited zeal was also teachable. Apollos is mentioned only a few times in the New Testament, but his story is compelling and inspiring.

We are first introduced to Apollos in Acts 18:24-28 as a man who was “fervent in spirit.” It literally means “to be hot, boiling.” It is a form of “zeelos” which is rendered “zeal” in other passages. It speaks to being on fire for the Lord and a burning desire to please God. That was Apollos.

It’s noteworthy that the zeal of Apollos was rooted in Scripture.

Luke writes that he was “mighty in the Scriptures.” The ESV renders this “competent in the Scripture. His enthusiasm for preaching Jesus was based on his knowledge of the Word. His belief in Jesus. His conviction regarding ‘the way’ of the Lord. Zeal, apart from a knowledge of the Bible, is dangerous.

The Zeal of Apollos issued in a bold proclamation.

He went into the synagogue and spoke courageously and boldly to a Jewish audience that did not understand who Jesus was. In fact, many probably rejected Jesus as the Messiah. But that didn’t deter Apollos.

Zeal that is bottled up inside and afraid to stand up and speak up with boldness is inactive, inadequate, ineffective,

Although Zealous for what he believed, Apollos was teachable.

As competent as Apollos was, there were gaps in his knowledge. The Bible says, “he knew only the baptism of John.” While Luke doesn’t elaborate, apparently Apollos didn’t know about the baptism commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission (Mk. 16:15-16). Preaching the life and teaching of Jesus is incomplete when the preacher fails to explain how to be saved and the role and importance of “baptism for the remission of sins” (AX. 2:38)

What occurred next is remarkable. Upon hearing his incomplete message, a Christian couple, Priscilla and Aquila, “took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” Note that they did this in private so as not to embarrass Apollos or to undermine his influence with the Jewish audience. It’s a lesson worth applying today.

The text, as well as subsequent Bible references to Apollos, show that he was receptive to their instruction. It shows that zeal must be tempered with humility, meekness, and willingness to accept correction when shown to be wrong.

A proud person would have resisted their teaching. A self-confident man may have argued and debated his position. An indifferent man may have shrugged his shoulders, dismissing it as unimportant. A lazy man may have been unwilling to change, learn, and grow. But Apollos serves as an excellent example of how zeal is teachable.

The fervor of Apollos challenges pastors, preachers, and all Bible teachers who firmly base their teaching on the knowledge of the Word. To be bold and courageous in teaching the Truth. Yet, at the same time, to be open to correction, teachable, ready to listen, and willing to change when shown our knowledge is incomplete or in error.

The story of Apollos teaches us, as John Maxwell also wrote, “A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.”

Or to express it even more succinctly and bluntly, “If you’re through learning, you’re through.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman