2 Timothy 2:2 kjv
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:2 nkjv
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:2 niv
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
2 Timothy 2:2 esv
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 2:2 nlt
You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
2 Timothy 2 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Timothy 2:2 | "and what you have heard from me through many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." | Directly applies the mandate |
| 1 Timothy 1:13 | "though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man. But I received mercy..." | Paul's own example of calling |
| Titus 1:9 | "...holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort by sound doctrine and to convict those who contradict." | Qualification of teachers |
| 1 Timothy 4:14 | "Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy when the elders laid their hands on you." | Emphasizes the empowerment |
| 2 Timothy 4:3 | "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" | The need for faithful teaching |
| 1 Corinthians 11:23 | "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you..." | Origin of delivered teaching |
| Jude 1:3 | "Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I felt compelled instead to write to encourage you to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." | Contending for the faith |
| Acts 14:23 | "And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they believed." | Ordination of leaders |
| Matthew 28:20 | "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” | The Great Commission's mandate |
| Hebrews 5:12 | "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again that someone teach you the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food." | The need for maturity in teaching |
| Galatians 1:7 | "but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ." | Warning against false doctrine |
| Colossians 1:28 | "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ." | Maturity as the goal |
| 1 Thessalonians 4:2 | "for you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus." | Paul's delivered instructions |
| 2 Thessalonians 3:6 | "Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accordance with the tradition that you received from us." | Adherence to tradition |
| 1 Peter 5:2 | "shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God chooses; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;" | Qualities of good shepherds |
| 2 Timothy 3:16 | "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," | The authority of Scripture |
| Romans 10:14 | "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?" | The necessity of preaching |
| Philippians 2:2 | "complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." | Unity in the faith |
| Ephesians 4:11-12 | "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ," | Roles in building the church |
| 1 Timothy 6:20 | "O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of so-called knowledge," | Guarding the deposit |
2 Timothy 2 verses
2 Timothy 2 2 Meaning
This verse is a foundational instruction for spiritual leadership and discipleship within the Christian faith. It emphasizes the importance of entrusting the sound doctrine of the faith to faithful individuals who are competent to teach it to others. This creates a lineage of spiritual transmission and preservation of biblical truth, ensuring its continuity through generations. The focus is on the reliable passing on of what has been received, fostering growth and stability in the church.
2 Timothy 2 2 Context
Second Timothy chapter 2 is situated within a pastoral epistle written by the Apostle Paul to his protégé, Timothy. Paul, likely facing his own impending death, is urging Timothy to remain steadfast in his faith and ministry amidst growing doctrinal error and opposition within the early church. This particular verse follows Paul's admonition to Timothy to be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus and comes before a discussion of various faithful analogies and exhortations for perseverance. Historically, this was a critical period for the nascent Christian movement, where establishing clear doctrinal boundaries and training future leaders was essential for its survival and growth. The cultural context involved a Greco-Roman world where philosophical ideas and mystery cults were prevalent, necessitating a clear proclamation of the unique truths of the Gospel.
2 Timothy 2 2 Word analysis
And: (Greek: kai) A conjunction connecting clauses, indicating addition or continuation.
what: (Greek: ha) Refers to the teachings or message.
you: (Greek: su) Refers to Timothy.
have heard: (Greek: akouō) To hear, listen to, perceive with the ear.
from me: (Greek: apo emou) Originating from Paul.
through: (Greek: dia) Indicates the means or agency.
many: (Greek: polla) Numerous, many.
witnesses: (Greek: marturōn) Witnesses; refers to individuals who have testified to the truth of the gospel, not necessarily martyrs at this stage, but reliable testifiers.
,: Conjunction linking the first part to the commission.
the same: (Greek: tauta) Refers to "what you have heard."
commit: (Greek: paratithemi) To entrust, deposit, commit to someone's care.
to faithful: (Greek: pistos) Trustworthy, reliable, devout.
men: (Greek: anthrōpous) Human beings; generally refers to males in leadership roles at this time, but the principle extends to all faithful believers.
who: (Greek: hoi) Relative pronoun referring to the men.
will be able: (Greek: dunamenous) Able, capable, having the capacity.
to teach: (Greek: didaskein) To instruct, impart knowledge, train.
others: (Greek: allous) Other people.
also: (Greek: kai) Furthermore, as well.
what you have heard from me through many witnesses: This phrase signifies the body of apostolic teaching that Timothy received directly from Paul and confirmed by numerous other reliable Christians. It underscores the authenticity and communal validation of the gospel message.
commit to faithful men: The instruction is not to simply impart knowledge, but to entrust it, implying a deep and personal investment in suitable individuals. "Faithful" highlights character and dependability as key criteria.
who will be able to teach others also: This is a critical chain of command. The selected individuals must possess not only faith but also the competence and willingness to pass on this same teaching to subsequent generations. It is a directive for multiplication and endurance.
2 Timothy 2 2 Bonus section
The concept of "committing" or "entrusting" (paratithemi) implies more than just a casual relay of information; it speaks to a sacred trust, like depositing a valuable treasure that must be guarded and multiplied. The multiplication aspect, from one generation of faithful teachers to the next ("teach others also"), is crucial for the enduring impact of the Gospel. This principle echoes the Old Testament command to pass down God's word from parent to child (Deut 6:7). The identification of "faithful men" highlights that leadership in the church is based on proven character and adherence to sound doctrine, not merely eloquence or charisma. This is a model for creating a robust and self-sustaining ministry.
2 Timothy 2 2 Commentary
Paul charges Timothy to act as a spiritual custodian, faithfully passing on the sound doctrine he received from Paul and others. This instruction emphasizes the importance of an unbroken line of reliable transmission of biblical truth. Timothy's role is to identify, equip, and entrust the Gospel to men who are not only believers but also possess the character and ability to teach others effectively. This process ensures the preservation and proliferation of the faith, building up the church and guarding it against error. It's a directive for intentional discipleship and leadership development, mirroring Christ's own commissioning of the apostles. The success of this transfer hinges on the "faithfulness" of the recipients, ensuring the integrity of the message.