Reliable Sources

“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” (2Tim 2:2)

Journalists must trust their sources. It’s critical to the accuracy of any report. Where would Woodward and Bernstein be without the legendary “Deep Throat”? When a reporter can rely on his or her source, the public can have confidence in the story. 

Okay, I realize the news media is not exactly seen as a great bastion of credibility these days. I get that. Too many overzealous journalists so fired up to break the big story that they lean on dubious sources and play fast and loose with the facts. But back in the day, you could take it to the bank if you read it in the New York Times or heard it from Walter Cronkite. Not any more.

Long before Spotlight or Watergate made headlines, Paul wanted Timothy to have the utmost confidence in the news he was passing along. “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to to faithful men who will be able to teach others” (v2). Tim can trust the news he’s heard from the apostle. He can trust the source. Now he’s to keep his eyes and ears out for folks he can rely on to keep the message moving forward. When it comes to the Good News, it’s critical that we can trust our sources.

When we understand the context of this verse, we’ll see that it’s vital that the message moves forward. Paul is in Rome, locked up in Caesar’s SuperMax, otherwise known as the Mamertine Prison. He’s writing a letter to his young protege Timothy while he sits on Death Row. The apostle knows his time is rapidly running out (2Tim 4:6-7). While he desperately hopes for one last visit from his good buddy (2Tim 4:9, 21), Paul encourages Tim to lean on the power of God’s grace as he continues telling people about Jesus (2Tim 2:1). 

First of all, the former Pharisee reminds the young pastor that he can trust his source. He can rely on “what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses” (v2). Tim has had a front row seat for Paul’s teaching so many times that he’s probably lost count. He first hooked up with the apostle several years ago when the Gospel tour made a stop in his hometown of Lystra (Acts 16:1-5). Before Tim knew what hit him, he was studying under the dude the Lord personally picked to tell non-Jews everywhere the Good News. 

Every place they stopped, Paul talks about the grace of God expressed in His Son Jesus. He lets them know that Christ is the answer to the problem religion has been trying to solve for thousands of years. Religion is our futile attempt to get to God. It’s futile because we can’t get there without 100% obedience to God’s rules. Break one and we’ve broken them all, according to Jesus’ kid brother James (James 2:10). 

But placing your faith in our Savior is does just the opposite. Instead of trying to work our way to God, He comes to us. Christ does for us what we could never do…even when our lives depend on it. He lived the perfect life for us, died in our place, and strolled right out of the empty tomb. I don’t care what kind of mad skills you have up your sleeve. You can’t pull off anything that awesome. 

The most amazing thing about Jesus is that He gives you and me credit for everything He does and takes our hot mess off our hands (2Cor 5:21). That’s the message Tim has heard Paul spread in city after city around the Mediterranean Rim. Timothy can trust his source. The apostle heard it straight for Jesus Himself (Gal 1:12). It doesn’t get any better than that.

A couple of important things we don’t want to miss about what Tim has heard. First of all, Paul uses words. Well, duh! Okay, work with me here. The apostle makes a point of speaking about Jesus out loud. You may have heard the old saying, “Preach the Gospel constantly. Use words when necessary.” I appreciate the sentiment. We SHOULD let our actions speak for us. We should live lives of love. But at some point words ARE necessary for others to know the Good News. No one will ever understand why you do what you do without an explanation.

The other subtle point Paul makes is that he consistently helps folks understand what he’s talking about. He explains what it means to place your trust in Jesus. He unpacks what the life of a Christ follower looks like and feels like. The apostle has a great way of putting the cookies on the bottom shelf. That does NOT mean he waters down the Gospel. But he illustrates and helps folks apply the grace of Jesus.

How about you? Don’t feel like you need to tote a ten-pound theological textbook with you to explain the Good News. It doesn’t take a slew of impressive sounding five syllable words to do the trick. If you’re like me, chances are you don’t know what they mean anyway. All you need to do is understand the concepts behind them. And when in doubt, go back to the basics. God made a perfect universe. We jacked it all up. Jesus came to our rescue. 

Paul mentions to Tim about “the presence of many witnesses” (v2) he’s had the privilege of speaking to. The Greek word for “witness” (Gr. martus) has a couple of meanings. It can describe one who testifies to facts in a legal setting. When the religious bullies railroaded Jesus, He boldly announced He was indeed Messiah and would soon take a seat next to His Heavenly Dad. That’s when the high priest blew a gasket. “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses (Gr. martus) do we need?” (Mt 26:65).

It can possibly a person who tells others something they know directly and personally. In other words, somebody with firsthand knowledge. Just before He headed home to heaven, the resurrected Christ told His followers how He would give them His Holy Spirit so that “you will be My witnesses (Gr. martus) in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). When Judas Iscariot broke bad, the apostles had an opening on their roster. A key requirement for his replacement was that he be “a witness (Gr. martus) to the resurrection” (Acts 1:22).

It can also be used when talking about a martyr. In this context, it’s one who tells what he knows even though it may result in death. Our Savior gave His buddy John a sneak peek at the end of the story and gave him a glimpse of a nasty prostitute dripping with “the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs (Gr. martus) of Jesus” (Rev 17:9). So the meaning of the word also carries the idea of someone so impacted by the grace of God that they are willing tell others about Christ even though it could well be fatal.

As a follower of Jesus, I’m a witness. More than a fan in the stands. More than a spectator. I’m actively involved in what He’s doing. I have the privilege of telling others what I’ve seen Him do in my life and through my life. How about you? What’s He been up to in your life? I know, I know. You don’t want to brag. But remember, this isn’t about you. It’s about Him. And it’s ALL about Him! This isn’t meant to put you on a guilt trip but a witness who doesn’t testify isn’t of any value to anyone else. While people may not be able to swallow some of the stuff in the Bible, they have a heard time doubting what’s happened in your life. They can trust the source.

While Paul certainly doesn’t want Tim to limit the audience of the Gospel, he wants him to keep an eye out for people who with a very special set skills. No, we’re not talking about Liam Neeson’s character from “Taken.” The apostle wants his spiritual son to “entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (v2). These folks need to be trustworthy and reliable. It’s important to keep the Good News good. One hundred percent grace. A zero tolerance policy against works. Those who teach must have a figure-four leg lock on the core of the message. People must be able to trust the source.

Here’s a cool observation I ran across when digging into this verse. John MacArthur points out that from Paul to Tim to faithful men to those would they tell covers FOUR generations! If Paul is Timothy’s spiritual son (1Tim 1:2; 2Tim 1:2), then the faithful folks he finds are the next generation. And once they pass along the story of Jesus, the apostle has great grandchildren in the faith! Talk about leaving a legacy that lives on!! All because of reliable sources.

Leaving a Legacy

“And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able to at any time to recall these things” (v15).

It’s not how you start but how you finish. You can come out of the chute like a lightning bolt but if you don’t end well nobody cares. There’s an old saying in college football that goes, “They only remember what you do in November.” The Apostle Peter is finishing with a flourish. In the marathon of life, he can see the end of the race ahead and he’s kicking. He wants to make his mark after he’s gone. To do so, he knows he must finish well. Pete wants to leave a legacy.

Let’s back up for just a bit of context. It’s around AD 67. The apostle is writing to a group of churches in what is modern day Turkey. This is the second time he’s sent them a note. The first one is the book of 1st Peter. There he writes to encourage the followers of Jesus to hang in there in the face of external pressures and persecution from society and the government (1Pet 4:19; 5:10). A couple of years later, he sends a second letter. This one deals with stuff going on inside the churches. False teachers have infiltrated the fellowship and are doing a terrible damage (2Pet 2:1). Pete wants everyone to remember this is about a personal relationship with the risen Jesus (2Pet 1:2-3). The best way to experience that intimacy is by taking your spiritual supplements (2Pet 1:5-7). He knows that his death is right around the corner. He wants to make sure the people he loves know what to do when he’s gone. Pete wants to leave a legacy.

In the previous verse, the apostle makes it clear that the end is near. He knows “that the putting off of my body will be soon” (1:14). History tells us that Nero executed Peter in Rome in AD 68. We also know that the former commercial fisherman didn’t feel worthy to die in the same way as Jesus, so he asked to be crucified upside down. As a dead man walking, Pete makes the most of his final moments. He tells his readers that he “will make every effort” in his finals days on this side of heaven. He uses the Greek verb spoudazo, which means to eagerly do one’s best, spare no effort, work hard and do with intensity. He’s going to give it everything he’s got! Pete’s gonna max out! Whatever he has left in the tank, he’s putting the pedal to the metal. 

Back in verse 14, the apostle used camping terminology to talk about how God is about to take down his tent. Just in case you may have thought Pete was wrapping up a weekend backpacking with the boys, he talks about his imminent death one more time. Here he calls it his “departure.” This is the term exodos. Yup, it’s the very same word where we get the name of the second book in the Bible. It describes a going out, an exit or, in the case of the Israelites from Egypt, an exodus. Jesus used it to talk about His own upcoming death at Passover when He met with Moses and Elijah at their amazing mountaintop meet up. They “spoke of His departure (Gr. exodos), which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Lk 9:30-31). Pete was right there with James and John when it happened. Jesus knew He was about to die. So does Pete. He’s about to make his final exit.

With his death right around the corner, the apostle desperately wants to finish well. Let’s face it, this dude has had some ups and downs over the years. On one hand, Pete’s not just in Christ’s inner circle, he’s the leader of the Twelve. Instead of choosing some top-of-the-class seminary grad, Jesus handpicked this uneducated fisherman to lead His team. It’s like passing up Billy Graham and selecting crew member from the Deadliest Catch. Pete’s the one who understood that Jesus is the divine Hero God has promised to send to save the world (Mt 16:16). After preaching his very first sermon, 3,000 people placed their trust in Christ. But don’t forget the other stuff on the apostle’s resume. When he tried to tell His Lord what to do, Jesus called him out as “Satan” (Mt 16:23). Pete infamously folded up like a cheap suit when challenged by a middle school girl, eventually denying that he even knew the Rabbi from Galilee (Mt 26:69-75). The resurrected Jesus personally reached out to restore Pete on the beach (Jn 21:15-19). Jesus knew He was headed home to His Dad in heaven. He wanted to leave a legacy in His apostle. 

Now Pete knows that the end is near. It’s not how you start but how you finish. He knows that the most important thing he can do before he goes is to point fellow believers back to a deep and personal relationship with Christ. You see, Pete knows that his legacy is not about Pete. It’s about Jesus. There’s no better legacy we can leave.