Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
2 Timothy 1:14 NIV
As we have grown, many people have invested in us to ensure we emerge strong—not just physically but mentally. These individuals worked tirelessly to help us mature into great adults who can now raise the next generation. Paul committed himself to depositing great things into Timothy’s life and into the lives of others around him. Moreover, Timothy didn’t reach his spiritual maturity alone; the older believers guided and groomed him. His mother, grandmother, and Paul played crucial roles in his development. They laboured in faith so Timothy could become the person God intended him to be. They entrusted the life of Jesus to him.
Paul then urged Timothy to guard what had been deposited in him, using the Holy Spirit’s help to avoid falling away. The gospel message is a precious gift we must guard diligently. We must protect it to ensure the next generation receives it, as it is our responsibility to pass it on. We cannot afford to handle this carelessly; we must guard it with all our heart and mind, relying on the Holy Spirit to help preserve our faith.
Moreover, God counts on us in this generation to be steadfast. He seeks those who will treat the gospel message with dedication, carrying it forward and guarding it jealously. By doing so, others will benefit and come to the saving knowledge of Christ. We must guard the sound teachings we have received. We must protect the ancient paths, the ways of the fathers, and the kingdom principles given to us. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can ensure that the next generation receives these teachings unaltered.
In conclusion, today’s translation tells us that the good deposit has been entrusted to us. We will give an account of how we managed the principles and doctrines of Scripture. We must explain how we lived and exemplified the life of Christ to others. To avoid regret in the end, we must guard the good deposit entrusted to us, relying on the Holy Spirit for help.