The Good Deposit

THE GOOD DEPOSIT.

2 Timothy 1:6-14.

At the end of his previous letter, Paul encouraged Timothy to ‘KEEP’ - or guard - the ‘COMMITTED DEPOSIT’ (1 Timothy 6:20). In the second letter, Paul reiterates this instruction in much the same words: “the good DEPOSIT COMMITTED … KEEP” (2 Timothy 1:14). That good thing is none other than the Apostolic gospel (2 Timothy 1:8-11; 2 Timothy 1:13).

Yet how can Timothy - how can any of us - “guard” this “beautiful” thing? Timothy needs to recall his own ordination, when he received through the laying on of Paul’s hands some unspecified “gift” (2 Timothy 1:6). This in itself should put to flight any tendency to timidity (2 Timothy 1:7).

The Apostle was encouraging Timothy not to be “ashamed of the testimony of our Lord”, nor indeed of Paul’s chains (2 Timothy 1:8). When it comes to the gospel, and even suffering for the gospel, our attitude should be as Paul’s: “not ashamed” (2 Timothy 1:12; cf. Romans 1:16). The task is not so formidable when we recognise that “we” (plural) have the Holy Ghost dwelling within us (2 Timothy 1:14).

Furthermore - in a verse which has become so familiar in translation that we almost forget to check the Greek language which lies behind it - we find the same verb and noun as in the first paragraph above. “I am not ashamed,” says Paul, “for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to KEEP… my COMMITTED DEPOSIT until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12).

Here we see a two-way transaction:-

1. The Lord has deposited the gospel within us. In other words, He has entrusted it to us. I am put in mind of David’s dedication of the freewill offering for the building of the Temple: ‘All things come of Thee , and of Thine own have we given Thee’ (1 Chronicles 29:14).

2. We can only fulfil our duty towards the gospel inasmuch as He empowers us to do so. It is HE who has the ability to KEEP/GUARD what He has committed to us. However, we may not abdicate from our responsibility: we are to “hold fast the precise delineation of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13; cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Paul was appointed a herald (preacher), an Apostle, and a teacher of the nations (2 Timothy 1:11). The gospel became so much a part of his life that he could speak of “my” gospel (2 Timothy 2:8; cf. Romans 2:16; Romans 16:25). It was for this that he lived, and for this that he suffered (2 Timothy 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:12).

The COMMITTED DEPOSIT is “mine” in that the Lord has entrusted it to me. Yet it is also “of me” in that I commit it back to the Lord (2 Timothy 1:12). We may be “partakers of the afflictions” (2 Timothy 1:8), suffering for the gospel - but the Lord will not test us beyond our ability to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Let us possess the gospel, but also pass it on. A gift to give away. A gift to dedicate to the Giver.