Someone reached you with the Gospel. Now, it is your turn to reach the next person. But expand your thinking to the next and the next and the next—not just the ones you personally reach but the ones your trainees will reach, and the ones their trainees will reach. The way Paul says it is this:
What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).
We are running our part in a great relay race. Paul is saying, “I have run my part of the race (2 Timothy 4:7). Now, relay this inspired teaching to the next spiritual generation, who will relay it to the next, who will relay it to the next. Relay it to those who are ‘faithful’ or ‘reliable’—those who can be trusted to carry the unchanging truth forward.” Train both men and women, for Paul uses the Greek word anthropois. (The English version quoted uses the word “men” but anthropois means men in a general sense: people, male and female.)
Paul is training Timothy. Timothy is training others who will become trainers of others. This is the Great Commission’s plan at work (Matthew 28:18-20). We pass along the pure message of Christ because He alone has “all authority.” New disciples are taught “all” His commands which, in the Matthew 28 context, includes Christ’s most recent command: “make disciples.” Thus, they in turn teach the next disciples “all” commands, including “make disciples,” and so it goes on. This plan ensures two things: 1. That the original, authorized message of Christ is preserved. The Christianity Jesus intended, and that the New Testament describes, is perpetuated until the end of the age. 2. That every true disciple becomes involved in fulfilling the Great Commission. He or she relays that same authorized message to the next spiritual generation, who relays it to the next, who relays it to the next. Each generation can succeed by relying on the Lord for guidance, strength and effectiveness. He promises, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).