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The Apostle does not limit prayer to any class. Most unlikely ones may be subjects of
grace; "Kings" are mentioned, and any knowledge of the kind of persons Kings were
when Paul wrote these words makes his language startling.
That all men do not come to a knowledge of the truth is stated in II Tim. 3: 7, but
while such are likened to Jannes and Jambres they are not under a decree of reprobation,
but they "resist" the truth, which implies the possession on their part of intelligence,
therefore responsibility rests upon them.
"The gospel whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the
Gentiles. For which cause I also suffer these things" (II Tim. 1: 11, 12).
"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me; that by me the
preaching (kerugma) might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear"
(II Tim. 4: 17).
"On hope of aionion life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the age-times,
but hath in due times manifested His word, through preaching (kerugma), which is
committed unto me, according to the commandment of God our Saviour" (Titus 1: 2, 3).
It is impossible to avoid the conclusion that the good deposit was that revelation of the
mystery committed first of all to Paul, as the prisoner, and, by him, re-committed to
Timothy and to faithful teachers down the age.
Closely associated with this good deposit, which Timothy is enjoined to guard, is the
parallel exhortation:
"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love
which is in Christ Jesus" (II Tim. 1: 13).
The word "hold fast" is simply "have". The word "form" is hupotuposin, and occurs
in but one other passage.
"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me, as a first one, Jesus Christ might
shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which hereafter believe on Him to life
everlasting" (I Tim. 1: 16).
The word translated "form" and "pattern" is in use as the name of a figure of Rhetoric.
One of the Latin names for this figure is Adumbratio, "a shadowing out, or a sketching
out, in words". Paul's life and doctrine, the manner of his conversion, and the message
he was raised up to give, form the preliminary sketch that all must follow who seek to
bear their testimony to the truth of the mystery.
There is the possibility that the expression, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners, of whom I am first" (I Tim. 1: 15) really means that he, Paul, was the first one to
be saved by "Christ Jesus". We know that the Lord met him on the road to Damascus,
and that Paul asked, "Who art thou, Lord?" The reply was, "I am Jesus", and while it is
true that "Jesus Christ" and "Christ Jesus" are both names of the one glorious Person, the
reversal of names in the title has important significance.