II Timothy 2:2

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

Paul communicates an additional and important characteristic to Timothy about the type of man that he ‘selects’ and ‘entrusts’. Yes, this man must be faithful / reliable – but he also must ‘be able to teach others’. 

This does not mean he has the gift of teaching but rather he is focused on others and wants to be equipped to learn to engage and teach others. This faithful man is a ‘portal’ and is not an endpoint. Timothy will ‘multiply’ his life through this man because he will impact others. It will be much more than just adding another attendee to the growing church in Ephesus. 

Paul casts a clear vision for this by providing a reproducible model for Timothy to think and act ‘multiplication’ and not just ‘addition’. 

We could call this ‘spiritual reproduction’ and in this one simple verse are ‘four generations’. 

1. Paul

2. Timothy

3. Faithful man

4. Others