Movatterモバイル変換

2 Timothy 1:13
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:10,14
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, …

among.

1 Timothy 4:14
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

the same.

2 Timothy 1:14
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

1 Timothy 1:18
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

1 Timothy 5:22
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

faithful.

Numbers 12:7
My servant Mosesis not so, whois faithful in all mine house.

1 Samuel 2:35
And I will raise me up a faithful priest,that shall do according tothat whichis in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

Nehemiah 7:2
That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for hewas a faithful man, and feared God above many.

who.

2 Timothy 2:24,25
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto allmen, apt to teach, patient, …

Ezra 7:10,25
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to doit, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments…

Malachi 2:7
For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for heis the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

entrust these to faithful men
Paul instructs Timothy to pass on the teachings to "faithful men," highlighting the need for reliability and trustworthiness in those who will carry on the work of the ministry. This reflects the early church's emphasis on character and integrity in leadership, as seen in the qualifications for elders and deacons outlined in1 Timothy 3 andTitus 1. The term "entrust" suggests a sacred responsibility, akin to a steward managing valuable property, which in this case is the gospel message.

who will be qualified to teach others as well
The ability to teach is a critical qualification for these men, indicating that the transmission of doctrine is not just about preserving information but also about effectively communicating it to others. This reflects the rabbinic tradition of discipleship, where students were expected to become teachers themselves. The phrase "teach others as well" points to the multiplication of ministry and the perpetuation of the faith through successive generations, a principle seen in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the early church's growth in Acts. This model of discipleship ensures the continuity and expansion of the Christian faith.

Paul reminds Timothy of the core gospel truths and apostolic instruction he heard in public settings.

• These were not private speculations but openly proclaimed facts, just as Paul “did not shrink from declaring anything that was helpful” (Acts 20:20-21).

• The message centers on Christ’s death and resurrection “as of first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

• Timothy is urged to hold the same “pattern of sound teaching” (2 Timothy 1:13) the church already recognizes.

• Because Scripture is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), what Timothy heard carries full divine authority and must remain unchanged.

Passing truth involves deliberate transfer, not accidental drift.

• “Entrust” echoes Paul’s own charge: “Guard the good deposit” (2 Timothy 1:14).

• Faithful men are reliable stewards; “it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

• Character precedes gifting; integrity safeguards doctrine (1 Timothy 3:1-10).

• The aim is preservation: “Contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

The gospel spreads through multiplication, not mere addition.

• Qualified teachers can “exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).

• Spiritual reproduction follows Jesus’ command, “make disciples … teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

• Each generation becomes a link in the chain: Paul → Timothy → faithful men → others, echoingPsalm 78:4-6, “we will tell the next generation.”

• Neglecting to train teachers leads to famine of the word (Amos 8:11); equipping them ensures ongoing health (Ephesians 4:11-12).

2 Timothy 2:2 lays out a simple, enduring strategy: receive the apostolic gospel, guard it faithfully, and intentionally pass it to trustworthy believers who will teach the next generation. The verse underscores the public, authoritative nature of Christian doctrine, the necessity of proven character in those who handle it, and the multiplying effect of discipleship that secures the church’s fidelity until Christ returns.

Among many witnesses.--These, according to the above interpretation, included Pagans and Jews, the rich and poor, the untaught sinners of the Gentiles and the skilled rabbi trained in the schools of Jerusalem and Alexandria.

The same commit thou to faithful men.--Not to men merely who were "believers" in Jesus Christ. This, of course, was intended, but the "faithful men" here denoted loyal, trusty souls--men who, under no temptation, would betray the charge committed to them.

Who shall be able to teach others also.--Not only must the Christian teachers to whom Timothy is to give the commission of teaching, be trustworthy men, they must also possess knowledge and the power of communicating knowledge to others. Although the divine help was to be prayed for and expected in this and all other sacred works, yet it is noticeable how St. Paul directs that no ordinary human means of securing success must be neglected. St. Paul's last charge in these Pastoral Letters of his, directed that only those shall be selected as teachers of religion whose earthly gifts were such as fitted them for the discharge of their duties. While there is nothing in this passage to support the theory of an authoritative oral teaching, existing from the days of the Apostles, in the Church--the words of St. Paul here point to the duty of the Christian soldier, not only himself to keep unchanged and safe the treasure of the Catholic faith as taught by the Apostle, but to hand down the same unimpaired and safe to other hands.

The great Christian truths were never allowed to be recklessly handled. There was a school, so to speak, of Christian theology in the time of St. Paul. His dying charge directed his best beloved disciple to make careful provision for the choice and training of teachers in the congregation. Men able as well as willing, gifted as well as zealous, should be the objects of his choice.

Some have imagined that these directions respecting the handing down the lamp of Christian truth to others were given to Timothy with a view to his leaving Ephesus--the appointed scene of his labours--for Rome, to join the imprisoned Apostle (2Timothy 4:9), in which event men able as well as devoted should be left in this great centre to carry on the work of Timothy and of St. Paul. But it is far better to understand St. Paul's charge as given to Timothy, arepresentative leader of the Church of Christ, and to understand the Apostle's words as addressed to the Church of all times. The runners in the Christian race must take good care before they fall out of the course that their torches, still burning, be handed on to the athletes who take their place.