O Timothy Keep That Which Is Committed To Thy Trust

By Ben F. Vick, Jr

Paul had no man like-minded as Timothy, his own son in the faith. When Paul arrived at Lystra on his second missionary journey, Timothy began traveling with him and Silas. After the church at Philippi had been established, Paul wanted to send Timothy to them. While Paul was imprisoned in Rome the first time he wrote the brethren at Philippi: "But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel" (Philippians 2:19-22). It is interesting that here was an old man who said of a young man that he had no man likeminded who could care for their state. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, instructing him in preaching and doing the work of an evangelist. As he was about to put down his pen in his first letter, he wrote, "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen" (I Timothy 6:20-21). This is good inspired advice for all preachers of every age, in every age.

"O Timothy ..." As on reads these words one can almost feel the closeness and the love that existed between Timothy and Paul. The aged apostle was coming to the end of this life and was addressing his son in the gospel with "O Timothy." Their unity in Christ, their travels together, their struggles in various places perhaps all came to the old preacher's mind as he addressed his dear brother.

"O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust..." To "keep" translates a Greek word which means "to guard or watch, have an eye upon... to keep from being snatched away, preserve safe and unimpaired" (Thayer). Many have stood by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. as the soldiers guarding that tomb are alert to any danger that might come. Reverence is demanded. Gospel preachers are to guard the deposit which has been entrusted to us.

You may ask: What was committed to Timothy's trust? The gospel. We are to guard it. Respect it. We are to defend it. Paul himself said that he was set for the defense of the gospel (Philippians 1:7,17). We are to oppose anyone who would add to it, subtract from it, or attempt to modify it in anyway. To the Galatians Paul wrote, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:6-9). This is the principle that runs throughout the Bible (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19). In most of the inspired epistles (twenty-one in all), written either to churches or individuals, a defense of the faith is given.

Sometimes it is said that the gospel does not need to be defended. Tell that to Paul, Peter, John, or Jude, for in their inspired writings they opposed error on all fronts. If the gospel does not need to be defended, then why tell Timothy to guard it?

Why should Timothy guard or keep that which had been committed to him? Because it is the gospel, or good news, that saves. Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). To the Corinthians he wrote, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18). To the elders of Ephesus, he said, "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:32).

Paul told Timothy to avoid "...profane and vain babbling, and opposition of science falsely so called." The word "avoiding" in the text means "to turn away from to shun a thing, to avoid meeting or associating with one." Timothy was to shun pointless, empty discussions. One translation says, "irreverent babble." He was to avoid "contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge.'"

Some professing such foolishness have erred from the faith. To err from the faith is to veer or deviate from it. One must be careful not to get caught up in worthless discussions which go nowhere. Paul's warning is for us today as well. We should ask ourselves: "Does it matter? Is it chatter?" If it does not matter, if it is mere chatter, let us move on to the work at hand, trying to reach souls with the gospel of Christ. Sometimes through experiences one gains wisdom to avoid some things. Later Paul wrote to Timothy:

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry" (II Timothy 4:1-5).