After Paul clarifies what Timothy is to confront in the false teachers, he then qualifies Timothy’s ability for such confrontation. Timothy was able to lovingly confront false teaching because he was trained in the sound teaching of the Spirit. If Timothy weren’t trained in truth, he would have confronted out of speculation and division. Therefore, through Paul’s writing, God’s invitation for all of us is to be a people trained and devoted to God’s truth because it is valuable for all times in all things. Jesus is worth devoting our all to because He is the only living Savior able to save anyone who puts their hope in Him.
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.