Yes, Paul refers to the 'good thing' entrusted to Timothy as a deposit, specifically the body of truth called the mystery, which Timothy is to keep by the Holy Spirit and actively use to produce spiritual returns.
Les Feldick teaches that in the Greek, the word 'thing' in 2 Timothy 1:14 actually means 'deposit.' This deposit is the mystery—the truths revealed to Paul by the ascended Lord, which he left with Timothy and, by extension, with every believer. It is to be guarded by the indwelling Holy Spirit and, like a financial deposit, is expected to yield returns, not be buried and unused.
2 Timothy 1:14 — Directly contains the phrase 'that good thing which was committed unto thee'—the deposit in question.
In 2 Timothy 1:14, Paul writes, 'That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.' The verse instructs Timothy to guard the 'good thing' that has been entrusted to him, utilizing the indwelling Holy Spirit for that purpose. This 'good thing' is the deposit that Paul refers to, which in the Greek carries the concept of something valuable placed in safekeeping. The Bible frequently uses the imagery of stewardship and investment. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), servants are given talents and are expected to use them to gain more; the servant who buries his talent is condemned. This illustrates that what is entrusted should be preserved and multiplied, not hidden away.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the Greek word behind 'thing' in 2 Timothy 1:14 is 'deposit.' This deposit refers to the entire body of truth revealed to Paul, which Les identifies as 'the mystery'—the doctrines of the Church Age that were hidden in ages past but now revealed. Paul's instruction to Timothy to 'keep' this deposit means to guard it faithfully, which is accomplished by the Holy Spirit who dwells in every believer. Les also connects the deposit to the idea of faithful stewardship, comparing it to a manager who must be faithful with a business left in his care. Furthermore, he links this to the parable of the talents, indicating that a deposit is not meant to be buried but to yield returns and growth. Believers are not to sit on the truth but to use it productively in their service for the Lord.
Les Feldick directly explains in Clip 1 that 'that good thing' in 2 Timothy 1:14 is the deposit, and it represents 'that volume of truth that we refer to in Paul's letters as the mystery.' This mystery was revealed to Paul by the ascended Lord and was left in the care of Timothy and, by extension, all believers. It is a specific body of doctrine distinct from general Christian teaching, focusing on the truths unique to the Church Age.
Les teaches that the deposit must be kept by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us (2 Timothy 1:14). This implies a guarding that is not merely human effort but empowered by the Spirit. In Clip 2, Les uses the analogy of a faithful steward: if a business owner leaves his business in a manager's care, he expects the manager to be faithful, honest, and productive. Similarly, believers are entrusted with the mysteries and must be faithful stewards, not just protectors but also active in using the truth for God's purposes.
Yes, Les Feldick draws a parallel to the parable of the talents in Clip 6. He notes that the servants who multiplied their talents were rewarded with greater responsibility, while the one who buried his talent was rebuked. Les suggests that the reward aspect will be the amount of responsibility given in God's future government. Thus, the deposit is not to be hidden but used to produce spiritual increase, aligning with the principle that a good deposit brings dividends.
What the Bible Really Says About Suffering and Glory
sickbed that he thought was unto death. And so this is what he's making reference to, the fact that he was dying even in the midst of his service for the Lord, and the life off of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. In other words, as he was lying on that sickbed, which I think we can assume was up there at Philippi, even though he thought that his ministry had ended, what was he confident o…
The Deposit Defined
Les explains that the 'good thing' in 2 Timothy 1:14 is the deposit, which refers to the mystery—the body of truth revealed to Paul and committed to Timothy to keep.
Faithful Stewardship
Les uses the analogy of a business owner leaving his business with a faithful manager to illustrate that believers must be faithful stewards of the mysteries entrusted to them.
Acts 4 Explained: The Only Name That Can Save You
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. Now did you catch the word purpose in there? According to His purpose. All right, now flip over a little further to Timothy. And let's see what that purpose that Paul is referring to really boils down to. Second Timothy, chapter 1.
Does God Harden Hearts? Romans 9:18-24 and the Potter's Clay
II Timothy chapter 1, oh, let�s just start with verse 7. II Timothy chapter 1, we�ll begin with verse 7. �For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner, but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.� Now here it is in verse 9.
What Happens When We Die? — 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 Explained
But whatever, all of a sudden, this body that is prone to die is never going to die. And that's the hope of the believer. Alright, now then let's go on to verse 5. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is gone. It all began with him, and it'll all end with him. It's gone, everything. And he hath given unto us the earnest, or the down payment, of the Spirit.
Producing Returns
Les connects the deposit to the parable of the talents, showing that what is entrusted should be multiplied, not buried, and will lead to greater responsibility in God's kingdom.
Do Everything for the Glory of God — 1 Corinthians 10:31 Explained
Now he says, �I praise you brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, the things that have been delivered.� In other words, the things that had been taught by the apostle Paul and some of the other gifted men. So he says, �Remember me in their prayers ,� and I�m sure he had financial needs and physical needs, and he says, �Keep the things that have been delivered, as I d…
2 Timothy 1:14: That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
This is the key verse defining the deposit and its preservation through the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 1:13: Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Paul previously instructs Timothy to hold fast the sound doctrine, setting up the deposit as that body of truth.
Matthew 25:14-30: For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. ...
The parable of the talents illustrates the principle that entrusted resources should be used to gain more, not buried.
1 Corinthians 11:2: Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
Paul commends keeping the traditions delivered, similar to the deposit's emphasis on preserving and holding fast.
No. The deposit is the good thing committed to Timothy, which Les Feldick identifies as the mystery—the body of truth revealed to Paul. The Holy Spirit is the one who helps Timothy keep that deposit (2 Timothy 1:14).
No. While it includes guarding, Les Feldick emphasizes that it also means using it to produce returns. He parallelizes with the parable of the talents, where the deposit must be invested to yield increase.
Every believer, but specifically Timothy as a pastor. Les teaches that believers are entrusted with the mysteries and must be faithful stewards, keeping the truth by the Holy Spirit.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Suffering and Glory