Entrusted to Teach

“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 Tim 2:2

Yesterday, we concluded that some are specifically called to be teachers in the church (Romans 12:7–8, Ephesians 4:11–12). These are people gifted to explain, equip, and disciple others in a sustained, structured way. However, every believer is called to share the gospel and live in a way that others can learn from. This can be informal, like mentoring, giving advice grounded in the scripture, or modelling godly behaviour. Nonetheless, it is very important, as we see in Paul’s epistles:

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Col 3:16

In our text, Paul’s command to Timothy to commit what he has heard to faithful men assumes a responsibility to pass truth on to others so that the gospel spreads far and wide; building faithful teachers and raising up leaders who will carry truth forward. Paul is thinking in generations here. Four layers are present in one verse: Paul, Timothy (his son), faithful men, and others.

The psalmist says that, God commands one generation to make his works known to the next (Psalm 78:5–7). This is about the preservation of truth. The gospel survives by being entrusted to people who will guard it and pass it on accurately. Truth survives because it is entrusted, guarded, and passed on carefully. The gospel moves forward as one believer hands it on to another, generation by generation, rather than through institutional mechanisms.

Jesus said we should go and make disciples of all nations, teaching others to observe what he commanded us (Matthew 28:19–20). This is the responsibility that comes with receiving truth. If what God has taught me stops with me, then the chain has broken at my hands. What we have received is not only for our own enjoyment. God opens up precious truths so that we might bring others into the same fellowship of his truth, pointing to an active transmission of faith. Mature believers are to raise up others who can also teach—not just baptise or convert them—but equip them to carry truth forward.

Passing the gospel on often requires self‑denial and perseverance. Witnessing faithfully is not always easy, and following Christ’s call will involve sacrifice, mirroring the relationship between Paul and Timothy.

In the kingdom of God, multiplication depends on sharing and sacrifice. John 12:24 says, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” Hebrews 2:10–11 captures this beautifully: God, through Jesus, made the author of salvation perfect through suffering, so that he could bring many sons and daughters to glory.

Teaching the sound word of God demands sacrifice, patience, and love. Paul said, “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears…” (2 Corinthians 2:4). Teaching the word is not just passing information on; it requires prayer and travailing for the word to take root and be profitable to the people we teach. Paul referred to his “children” for whom he travailed in prayer, so that Christ might be fully formed in them (Galatians 4:19). This shows that true teaching is an act of spiritual parenting: we pour ourselves into others, labouring and interceding for the Word to take root, be fruitful, and fully mature in them.

It is costly because it demands time, emotion, and perseverance, but it is fruitful because it produces life that lasts beyond our own hands. Faithful teaching mirrors Christ himself, who sowed himself fully so that sons and daughters of God could be brought to glory. Every faithful teacher becomes a conduit of God’s life, reproducing the truth in others who will, in turn, teach faithfully, continuing the generational chain.

Who are you intentionally depositing truth into, not casually influencing, but deliberately entrusting? If the chain stops with you, something has been missed.

Kay Alli