However, this transfer of the “good deposit” of the gospel is not a barren, educational exercise. It’s deeply and inescapably relational. When we look at the relationship between Paul and Timothy, it becomes immediately apparent that much more than a transfer of skills or information was involved in Timothy’s training. Paul repeatedly describes Timothy with great warmth as his son and beloved child (1 Cor 4:17; Phil 2:22; 1 Tim 1:2, 18; 2 Tim 1:2) and as a fellow-believer and sharer in grace (1 Tim 1:2; 2 Tim 1:2,
