WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT TIMOTHY WAS EXHORTED TO COMMIT TO FAITHFUL MEN?
By Ezekiel Kimosop
2 Timothy 2:1-2 says "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 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." (NKJV).
Which "things" does this Scripture contemplate in context?
My view is that the answer to this question is found in the preceding passage of 2 Timothy 1:8-12. Paul exhorted Timothy not to shy away from proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ for which Paul had suffered and was now imprisoned.
Notice Paul's unwavering convictions in v. 12 where he says "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." (NKJV).
2 Timothy 2:13-14 is an apostolic charge on Timothy. Paul exhorts Timothy saying:
"Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us." (NKJV).
In the succeeding passage of 2 Timothy 2, which is our passage of context, Paul continues to encourage Timothy to stand firm for the gospel and to raise men who will teach the word of God in truth. He instructs: "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." (NKJV).
So what were these things?
Adam Clarke observes that "these things" could refer to doctrines delivered to Timothy during his pastoral ordination. Matthew Henry adds that Paul's exhortation implied that Timothy must not deliver anything besides what he had received from Paul. He should not add or remove anything therefrom. The gospel should be bequeathed to faithful men in its pristine form in order to preserve the credibility of its doctrines.
Some scholars believe Paul was making a direct reference to a specific set of doctrines that he had entrusted to Timothy rather than the whole of the evangelical doctrine.
However, given the perpetuity contemplated in its teaching, it is difficult to rule out Paul's reference to the entire gospel truths that he had taught Timothy. In 2 Timothy 3:10, Paul tells Timothy: "But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance" (NKJV).
My view is that "these things" is a reference to the foundational and fundamental truths and doctrines of Scripture which lie at the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ that Paul proclaimed and wrote in his epistles. Paul was legitimately concerned that these truths may be compromised or misrepresented by people who had no knowledge of Christ nor the theological foundation for ministry.
We should bear in mind that during his last visit to Ephesus, Paul had warned the Ephesus church elders of coming apostasy (Acts 20:17-38).
Notice further that Paul's epistle to the Ephesians lays considerable emphasis on doctrinal grounding of believers so that they are not tossed about by every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting (Ephesians 4:12-16).
In all church ages, God's word is preserved through faithful men who revere God's word and proclaim it in truth. These men should be trained and equipped with theological skills by which they can rightly expound the word of God with the diligence that it deserves (2 Timothy 2:15).
This is the only way to preserve the sanctity of Scripture from the ferocious fangs of false teachers.
Who are these false teachers?
False teachers are diverse. They are the wolves in sheepskin contemplated by Jesus in Matthew 7:15. They are the men who have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:5). They are the false teachers mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:1-5. They are the men who will spread destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1-3). They are further described as teachers who "have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness." (2 Peter 2:15).
It is against these evil men that Scripture exhorts us to earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).
In contemporary Christianity, the revelation and authority of Scripture has come under heavy distortion by false teachers who purport to speak the mind of God. Millions of Christians are trapped under the manipulation and brainwashing of these self appointed prophets who twist Scripture for selfish benefit.
The word of God should be proclaimed and defended by men and women who cherish the purity of its eternal truths and are prepared to stand out for the sanctity of Scripture.
Shalom
© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026
