Helping Others Learn and Live the Truth


2 Timothy 2:1–2 1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 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


We’ve probably all been around people whose grasp of the Bible and theology are significant, but they spend very little time with others encouraging them in the nuts, bolts, and pieces of assembling godly lives. There is a sense in which we are impressed with their insights, but it’s hard to see how their knowledge bank is being applied in practical obedience or in the cause of helping others to grow.

Being self-contained repositories of Biblical truth is not our end goal, nor is it healthy. As the Apostle Paul warned the church in Corinth, there is a use of knowledge that puffs up, but knowledge needs to be united with loving concern for others that builds up.

Paul’s encouragement of Timothy found in the passage above indicates that truth is not only to be received and treasured; the truth is to be shared with others for their benefit. We also see that Timothy is not left to his own abilities and determination to edify others. The grace of Jesus Christ will empower Timothy to have a robust ministry to others, and this practice will bear the fruit of corporate growth in an ongoing cycle of building others up.

We must protect our hearts from developing self-centered pride regarding our knowledge of Scripture and theology. We will do this best by prayerfully relying on the grace of our Lord to give us an awareness of our ongoing deficiencies and to give us a commitment to sharing the things we learn with others in love.

Faithful followers of Jesus are not to be polished and pristine islands admired at a distance. We are to be humble channels of truth and grace that find joy in helping others learn and live the truth.