So far, in 2 Timothy 1, Paul has encouraged Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God, and to join with him in suffering for the gospel. However, this isn’t enough. Paul has further instruction for Timothy to pay attention to.

You can see if for yourself in 2 Timothy 1:13-14:

Paul now tells Timothy that he must keep in the forefront of his mind the apostolic pattern, the standard, of sound teaching as he teaches others.

A couple of insights into the phrases Paul uses may be helpful.

• Sound teaching – This term conveys the idea of “healthy” teaching, and parallels with 1 Timothy 1:10.
• Pattern – This is a term used to signify an outline, a sketch, much like an architectural draft.

The point that Paul is making is that Timothy preach and spread the same message that he received from Paul. Paul’s concern here is valid, because just like a photo copier, a copy of a copy of a copy soon looks nothing like the original. Paul wants the message of the gospel to endure with little or no change.

This alludes to the doctrine of inerrancy. This is the idea that the Scriptures contain God’s message to man, and in its original manuscripts, contains no errors and is completely accurate. Closely aligned with that is the idea of infallability, what the Bible says regarding matters of faith is wholly useful and true, again without error.

And, thanks to God’s involvement, the Scriptures we have today reflect very few errors or mistakes compared to the earliest manuscripts found to date. There may be the occasional copyist error, but these are almost all found in incidental texts, and rarely in any passage that is foundational for any doctrine.

Paul’s concern is that Timothy preach the same message that Paul received. And our concern today is the same, that we preach the same message that Paul handed down to Timothy, and was handed down through the generations to us, without change.

Paul’s initial concern is with the content of Timothy’s message, but he also speaks to the manner in which Timothy is to convey that message: with “faith and love in Christ Jesus.”

Doctrine and orthodoxy are important, but so is faithfulness and compassion and love.

Paul’s final instruction in this passage is for Timothy to guard the “good deposit” that was given in truth to him. That would be the gospel message. The idea behind the word “deposit” here is treasure. And it is entrusted to us.

That thought right there should cause you to back up and read this passage again.

…The good deposit that was entrusted to you…

Not only do we entrust our life and work to Christ, as Paul did in the previous verses. But Christ entrusts us, you and I, with the message of the gospel. Christ puts his trust in us! He is relying upon us to take the responsibility of carrying this most important of messages to the world.

That seems to be a common thread throughout the Bible. When God wants something accomplished, he finds a man or woman he can trust to stay faithful and get the job done.

Even though that sounds intimidating and difficult, notice the final phrase of this passage. He gives the Holy Spirit to help and enable us. He entrusts this most important task to us, and then gives us the resources to accomplish it.

That is a win-win deal.

So how about it? Are you up to the task? Are you ready to be entrusted with this task, as Paul and Timothy and so many others were throughout the ages?

With God’s help, we can do this!

Are you up to the task? If not, what is it that you need to be ready? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.