“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV)
“Second Timothy is Scripture for all Christians, but since it was originally written to a pastor, Paul’s teaching in this epistle is particularly applicable to church elders, pastors, teachers, and other leaders. All of us who confess the name of Jesus are called to be faithful to Him in the midst of suffering, yet the ways in which we are tempted to be unfaithful depend in some measure upon our vocation. Pastors and teachers, for example, because they regularly instruct people in the gospel, may be more prone than others to watering down the good news in order to make it more palatable to their audiences. Many churches encourage their pastors to dilute the Word of God, at least implicitly, in their drive to measure success by the number of people sitting in the pews,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
As is the case with all three pastoral epistles, the Apostle Paul’s tone is personal and encouraging. He referred to Timothy as my child (τέκνον; teknon) meaning dear friend and dear one (2 Tim. 1:2; I Tim. 1:2; Titus 1:4). Paul’s posture is one of an older man encouraging a younger man in the challenges, responsibilities, difficulties and sufferings encountered in pastoral ministry. Numerous para-church ministries currently exist with this mentoring philosophy as their vision and mission. It is needed.
With his mentoring mindset, Paul commanded Timothy to “be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” To be strengthened (ἐνδυναμοῦ; emdynamou) means to be receptive to the empowerment, enablement and capability God provides. He does so by grace (χάριτι; charity). This refers to God’s beneficial and unmerited bounty to believers in Christ Jesus.
“Paul explains that only the Lord’s grace can enable Timothy and other leaders to be faithful (2 Tim. 2:1). Grace not only initiates salvation, it is the arena in which the whole of the Christian life is lived (John 1:16),” states Dr. Sproul.
“After the reminders of Timothy’s ordination, his own example, and that of others, Paul addressed Timothy with a direct application: You then, my son (teknon, “child,” an endearing term), be strong (lit. “be empowered”; cf. Eph. 6:10). Yet Timothy’s strength was not his own; it was a divine “gift” (grace, charis) found only in Christ (Phil. 4:13).”[1]
“In view then of all that has been said in chapter 1—the examples of faith and steadfastness (Lois and Eunice, Paul himself, Onesiphorus), the Holy Spirit’s gift to Timothy, the great salvation that awaits him who perseveres, the wonderful calling—let Timothy be strengthened (cf. 2 Tim. 1:6–8, 14; and for the word itself see Acts 9:22; 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4:17, then Rom. 4:20; Eph. 6:10; Phil. 4:13) in that Christ-centered grace which, as was pointed out, had been given to him “before times everlasting” (2 Tim. 1:9). Timothy’s strength in the sphere of grace will grow if he cultivates the gift which grace has bestowed on him. The appeal is again couched in the language of the tender affection of a father for his son; note the emphasis “you then,” and the appeal to the heart, “my child” (2 Tim. 1:2). What the (spiritual) father (Paul) wants the child (Timothy) to do is found in verses 1–7. What the father, as the child’s example, is doing is described in verses 8–10a. What all believers should constantly remember with respect to the manner in which faithfulness to Christ is rewarded, and unfaithfulness punished, is stated most clearly in verses 10b–13, and is already implied in verses 4–6.”[2]
What is Timothy do with all he has heard from Paul? Timothy witnessed many things the apostle experienced in his life and ministry (2 Tim. 3:10-11). What is the major application for Timothy in light of this? Timothy was to entrust what he heard, understood, and seen to other faithful men.
To entrust (παράθου; parathou) means to personally, decisively, and obediently set before and commit to other individuals. These individuals would be faithful men (πιστοῖς; pistois) who demonstrate trustworthiness, commitment, dependability, and honor in handling God’s Word. In response, they would then teach others what Timothy taught them, which was what Paul taught Timothy.
“Now, one sure way of being strengthened in grace is to transmit to others the truths which have embedded themselves in one’s heart and have become enshrined in the memory. Accordingly, let Timothy be a teacher. Even more, let him produce teachers! Timothy needs this experience, and what is far more important, the church needs the teachers! Paul is about to depart from this life. He has carried the gospel-torch long enough. Hence, he hands it to Timothy, who, in turn, must pass it on to others. The deposit which was entrusted to Timothy (1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:14) must be deposited with trustworthy men. They must be men, moreover, who will be qualified to teach others (cf. 1 Tim. 3:2), so that these others as well as their teachers will have been instructed in God’s redemptive truth.”[3]
“This redemptive truth or gospel of salvation, which Timothy is asked to transmit, is here described as “the things which you have heard from me among many witnesses.” This expression undoubtedly refers to the entire series of sermons and lessons which the disciple had heard from the mouth of his teacher during all their association from the day when they first met. Many had been the witnesses of this preaching and teaching. Let Timothy bear in mind that the message which he has heard from the mouth of Paul had been given among or in the midst of many persons who were ever ready to lend their support to the apostle’s testimony.”[4]
The faithful men Timothy was to entrust the gospel were those loyal to Christ and His Word. They were men committed to keeping their promises, and sound in their knowledge of the faith. God does not call all of us to be pastors, but all of us should become the kind of faithful people Timothy was to pursue. Men and women alike should strive for loyalty to Christ, trustworthy speech, and competence in biblical doctrine.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] A. Duane Litfin, “2 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 752.
[2] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 245–246.
[3] Ibid., 246.
[4] Ibid., 246–247.
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