Paul encourages Timothy to guard the good teachings that were entrusted to him and to do so with the help of the Holy Spirit. Some people had abandoned Paul's teachings by following misleading paths. Timothy is reminded to focus on the tasks given to him by God and not to worry about accusations or criticism, but to use any suffering to further God's work. Paul suffered but was not ashamed because he trusted God to guard what was entrusted to him until the final day.