Lexical Summary parathéké: Deposit, Trust, Commitment Original Word: παραθήκη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance a deposit or trustFrom paratithemi; a deposit, i.e. (figuratively) trust -- committed unto. see GREEK paratithemi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom paratithémi Definition a deposit or trust NASB Translation entrusted (1), treasure* (1), what has been entrusted (1), what...have entrusted (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3866: παραθήκηπαραθήκη, παραθηκης, ἡ (παρατίθημι, which see), a deposit, a trust or thing consigned to one's faithful keeping (Vulg.depositum): used of the correct knowledge and pure doctrine of the gospel, to be held firmly and faithfully, and to be conscientiously delivered unto others: 2 Timothy 1:12 (μου possessive genitive (the trust committed unto me; Rec.elz 1633 reads here παρακαταθήκη, which see)); G L T Tr WH in 1 Timothy 6:20 and 2 Timothy 1:14 (Leviticus 6:2, 4; 2 Macc. 3:10, 15; Herodotus 9, 45; (others)). In the Greek writings παρακαταθήκη (which see) is more common; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 312; Winer's Grammar, 102 (96). Topical Lexicon Meaning And Background Parathēkē refers to a valuable deposit placed in the custody of a trusted guardian. In Greco-Roman legal practice the term described money or property handed over for safekeeping under strict obligation to return it intact. The New Testament adapts this secular image to portray the Gospel, the believer’s life, and all divine truth as a sacred trust committed by God to His servants. Old Testament Foreshadowing The law of deposits in Exodus 22:7-13 and Leviticus 6:2-7 already framed stewardship as a matter of covenant faithfulness. The prophetic motif of “watchmen” (Ezekiel 3:17-21) likewise anticipates the duty to guard God’s revelation. These shadows converge in the pastoral epistles where the Gospel itself becomes the deposit. Occurrences In The Pastoral Letters • 1 Timothy 6:20 – “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called knowledge.” The Sacred Deposit Of The Gospel Paul’s repeated use shows that the primary “deposit” is the apostolic Gospel in its entirety—sound doctrine, ethical pattern, and hope of eternal life (2 Timothy 1:13; Titus 1:2-3). The content is objective, not fluid, and is to be transmitted unchanged (2 Timothy 2:2). Stewardship And Accountability 1 Timothy 6:20 sets the tone: Timothy must shield the deposit from corrosive influences—false teaching, speculative “knowledge,” and moral compromise. The urgency is covenantal; failure to guard the trust constitutes betrayal of the One who entrusted it (compare Ezekiel 33:6). Guarding Through The Holy Spirit 2 Timothy 1:14 grounds the task in divine enablement. Preservation of truth is impossible by human vigilance alone; the indwelling Spirit empowers discernment, courage, and purity. This balances personal responsibility with God’s sovereign preservation (John 16:13; Jude 24). Paul’s Personal Deposit In 2 Timothy 1:12 the direction reverses: Paul entrusts himself and his ministry to Christ. The believer’s life work, sufferings, and ultimate salvation are deposited with the Lord until “that day.” He who commands us to guard the Gospel first guards us, ensuring that faithful servants and entrusted truth reach their eschatological goal together (Philippians 1:6). Ecclesial Custodianship The corporate dimension is implicit. Local congregations are “pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). Creeds, catechesis, and disciplined leadership serve as communal vaults for the deposit. Church history confirms that doctrinal confessions arose chiefly to safeguard parathēkē against heresy. Personal Discipleship Every believer receives facets of the deposit—spiritual gifts, the message of reconciliation, personal vocation. Faithful stewardship includes studying Scripture diligently (2 Timothy 2:15), living above reproach (1 Timothy 4:12), and proclaiming the word in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2). Eschatological Horizon Both verbs—God guarding Paul and Timothy guarding the Gospel—look toward “that day” (2 Timothy 1:12, 18). The final audit motivates vigilance now. What is preserved on earth will be vindicated in Christ’s appearing and kingdom (2 Timothy 4:1). Related Biblical Themes • Covenant faithfulness (Deuteronomy 6:6-9) Summary Parathēkē encapsulates the Christian’s dual calling: to entrust life and destiny to a faithful Savior, and to guard the unalterable Gospel He has entrusted to us. Empowered by the Holy Spirit and accountable to the coming Judge, believers stand as vigilant custodians until the day when the deposit—fully preserved and gloriously displayed—will honor the One who first entrusted it. Forms and Transliterations παραθήκη παραθηκην παραθήκην παραθλίψατε paratheken parathēkēn parathḗken parathḗkēnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 6:20 N-AFSGRK: Τιμόθεε τὴν παραθήκην φύλαξον ἐκτρεπόμενος NAS: guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding INT: Timothy the deposit committed [to you] keep avoiding 2 Timothy 1:12 N-AFS 2 Timothy 1:14 N-AFS |
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