As the Apostle Paul unfolds a transition strategy for the next generation of leaders, the word entrusted becomes a key term in his vocabulary. In 1 Timothy 6:20, Paul wrote “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you.” At the end of 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul reminds us that the Lord “is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” Shortly after that, Paul challenges Timothy to “guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” As we will eventually observe, this idea is reemphasized in 2:2.
The word picture associated with entrust involves guarding a significant deposit. In this case, what Paul is entrusting to future leaders is the gospel of Jesus Christ, as emphasized in the word of God. Let’s examine verses 12b-14 carefully, and ponder how they relate to our lives.
