Note 4 at 2 Tim. 2:2: What "things" is Paul referring to? According to 2 Timothy 1:13, Paul told Timothy to hold fast the form of sound words that he had received from him. So, certainly, this refers to his teachings. Also in this same letter, Paul told Timothy that he has fully known his doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, and afflictions (2 Tim. 3:10-11). So not only what Paul said, but his lifestyle was also an important part of what Paul taught Timothy, and what Paul wanted Timothy to pass on to others (see note 5 at this v.).

Note 5 at 2 Tim. 2:2: Paul's command to Timothy in this verse was not just for Timothy, but is the Lord's command to every believer of every age. We are instructed to reproduce our faith in others.

Jesus told His disciples the same thing in what is called the great commission of Matthew 28:19-20. He said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Jesus never told us to make converts. He said to make disciples (Mt. 28:20 NIV). That only happens as we take the truths that the Lord has given us and impart them to others. One of the blights of our modern Christianity is the emphasis on just getting born-again (see note 2 at Jn. 3:3, p. 92), instead of leading people to be disciples of Christ.

Some people are appalled at statements like that, but do the math. If one Christian led 1,000 people to salvation each year, at the end of 16 and a half years, there would only be 16,500 Christians through his efforts. However, if the same person only led one person to the Lord every six months, and then took the rest of that time to make him a disciple, who could reproduce his faith by discipling others, then at the end of 16 and a half years there would be nearly seven billion believers through the discipling method. What a difference.

Our mass evangelism has made forgiveness of sins and escaping the punishment of hell the goal of most people's steps toward the Lord. Therefore, once a person has received salvation, he loses his motivation to go any further. He got what he wanted. As wonderful as having our sins forgiven and missing hell is, that is not the only purpose of salvation. Intimate relationship with the Lord is what salvation is all about (see note 94 at Jn. 17:3, p. 503). That is what we should be leading people towards. That is what discipleship is.

Paul's instructions to Timothy in this verse are also to each one of us. We must reproduce our salvation experience through discipling others.

Note 6 at 2 Tim. 2:2: The Greek word that was translated "commit" in this verse is "PARATITHEMI" which means, "to place alongside, i.e. present (food, truth); by implication to deposit (as a trust or for protection)" (Strong). This word stresses much more than simply announcing facts. To accomplish true discipleship (see note 5 at this v.), we have to do more than tell a person some truths. We need to find believers to whom we can entrust the Gospel.

Note 7 at 2 Tim. 2:2: Today most people look for abilities first in the people they depend on or employ. Faithfulness is the characteristic that Paul stresses in this verse. Job skills can be taught. Faithfulness cannot. Therefore, faithfulness should be the most important quality we look for in others (see note 8 at this v.).

Note 8 at 2 Tim. 2:2: As emphasized in note seven at this verse, Paul stressed faithfulness as the most important quality to look for in those we entrust with the Gospel. However, this does not mean that ability isn't an issue. In this verse he says people have to be able to teach others also. They have to be able to communicate effectively. This is the same requirement that Paul gave Timothy for bishops in 1 Timothy 3:2. Therefore, ability is important, but not the most important thing.