Over and over and over again, Paul refers to Timothy as ‘his son’. 

This is ‘the language of spiritual reproduction’.  Again in: 

II Timothy 2:1

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 

Then Paul continues with ‘the practice of spiritual reproduction’.  

II Timothy 2:2

“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

Paul was not about addition, he was about multiplication. He was about ‘generations’, or spiritual reproduction. He modeled this to Timothy and then instructed him to find ‘faithful men’ who with some training will soon be ready to ‘teach others’. 

Generation 1.  Paul

  Generation 2. Timothy

    Generation 3. Faithful men 

      Generation 4. Others 

*Reflection:  Am I investing in other men as sons who will reproduce their lives into faithful men who will do the same – or am I just inviting people to church and bible study?