Receive Correction without Losing the Desire to Serve

“And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”

Acts 18:24-28 KJV

Apollos had real gifts. He was capable, earnest, and familiar with Scripture. Those strengths did not mean every part of his understanding was complete. Aquila and Priscilla helped him learn more accurately, and correction became part of his usefulness rather than the end of it.

Read the passage carefully

Ability can make correction difficult to receive. A gifted speaker may fear that admitting a gap will undermine confidence in everything he has taught. A quieter person may avoid offering needed help because the other person seems too accomplished. The account gives a better example: informed care offered appropriately and a servant willing to become more accurate.

If you teach, welcome careful questions and check a correction against Scripture. Admit a mistake plainly and revise the teaching where needed. Do not make your reputation more important than the people learning from you. If you offer correction, be specific, respectful, and concerned for truth rather than for the pleasure of finding fault. A private explanation is often more useful than an unnecessary public contest, though public error may also need a clear public correction.