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. HOLD FAST THE FORM, [ hupotupoosin (G5296) eche (G2192)] - 'Have (i:e., keep) the pattern (1 Timothy 1:16, where only, besides here the Greek occurs) of sound (healthy) words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love.' "Keep" suits the reference to a deposit. The secondary position of the verb forbids our taking it so strongly as "Hold fast." 'Have such a delineation drawn from my sound words,' in opposition to the unsound doctrines so current at Ephesus, 'vividly impressed' (the verb implies to make a lively and lasting impress) on thy mind. In faith and love...

13_Hold the form of sound words _Some explain it thus: “Let thy doctrine be, as it were, a pattern which others may imitate.” I do not approve of that view. Equally removed from Paul’s meaning is Chrysostom’s exposition, that Timothy should have at hand the image of virtues engraven on his heart by Paul’s doctrine. I rather think that Paul commands Timothy to hold fast the doctrine which he had learned, not only as to substance, but as to the very form of expression; for ὑποτύπωσις — the word which Paul employs on this occasion — denotes a lively picture of objects, as if they were actually placed before the eyes. Paul knew how ready men are to depart or fall off from pure doctrine. For this reason he earnestly cautions Timothy not to turn aside from that form of teaching which he had received, and to regulate his manner of teaching by the rule which had been laid down; not that we ought...

6-14 God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to him, which will carry us through opposition. And the spirit of a sound mind, quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to enable us to bear them. As is usual with Paul, when he mentions Christ and his redemption, he enlarges upon them; so full was he of that which is all our salvation, and ought to be all our desire. The call of the gospel is a holy call, making holy. Salvation is of free grace. This is said to be given us before the world began, that is, in the purpose of God from all eternity; in Christ Jesus, for all the gifts that come from God to sinful man, come in and through Christ...

Verse 13. _HOLD FAST THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS_] The word υποτυπωσις signifies the _sketch, plan_, or _outline_ of a building, picture, c. and here refers to the _plan of salvation_ which the apostle had taught Timothy. No man was left to _invent a religion_ for his own use, and after his own mind. God alone knows that with which God can be pleased. If God did not give a revelation of himself, the inventions of man, in religious things, would be endless error, involving itself in contortions of unlimited confusion. God gives, in his mercy to man, a _form of sound words_ or doctrines; a perfect _plan_ and _sketch_ of the original building; fair and well defined outlines of every thing which concerns the present and eternal welfare of man, and his own glory. _IN FAITH AND LOVE_] _Faith_ credits the Divine doctrines. _Love_ reduces them all to practice. _Faith_ lays hold on Jesus Christ,

HOLD FAST THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS; - see the notes at 1 Timothy 1:3. On the Greek word here rendered “form,” see the notes at 1 Timothy 1:16, where it is rendered pattern. The word means a form, sketch, or imperfect delineation - an outline. Grotius says that it here means “an exemplar, but an exemplar fixed in the mind - an idea.” Calvin says that the command is that he should adhere to the doctrine which he had learned, not only in its substance, but in its form. Dr. Tillotson explains this as meaning the profession of faith which was made by Christians at baptism. There seems to be an allusion to some summary or outline of truth which Paul had given to Timothy, though there is no evidence that it was written. Indeed, there is every presumption that, if it refers to such a

EXPOSITION 2 TIMOTHY 1:1 _Christ Jesus _for _Jesus Christ, _A.V. and T.R.; _the life _for _life, _A.V. The life is a little clearer than _life, _as showing that "life" (not "promise") is the antecedent to "which." ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE denotes the subject matter with which, as an apostle, he had to deal, viz. the promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus, and the end for which he was called, viz. to preach that promise (comp. Titus 1:2). 2 TIMOTHY 1:2 _Beloved child _for _dearly beloved son, _A.V.;_ peace _for _and peace, _A.V. MY BELOVED CHILD. In...

HOLD FAST THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS,.... By "words" are meant, not mere words, but doctrines; for the servants of the Lord should not strive about words, to no profit, or be too tenacious of them. Indeed when words have long obtained, and have been very useful to convey just ideas of truth to the mind, they are not to be easily parted with, though they are not syllabically expressed in Scripture, unless other and better words can be substituted in their room; and especially they are to be tenaciously abode by, when the apparent design by dropping or changing them is to set aside the truths signified by them; such as trinity, unity, essence, person, imputed righteousness, satisfaction, c. But here words design doctrines, the words of faith and good doctrine, the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ and which are said to be "sound", in opposition to the words and doctrines of false teach...

2 Timothy 1:1. _Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord._ I would again remind you, as I have often done before, that the apostle Paul, when he is writing to a minister, invariably begins his epistle with the triple greeting, «Grace, mercy, and peace,» but when he is writing to a church, he commences with the double benediction, «Grace and peace.» You will find that this is his wish for the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians, «Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.» This is also his form of greeting to Philemon, who was a private Christian, not a minister; but when the apostle is writing to Timothy and Titus, his own

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. PAUL'S PERSONAL WORD TO TIMOTHY CHAPTER 1 _ 1. Paul's affectionate words and confidence (2 Timothy 1:1)_ 2. Difficulties and assurance (2 Timothy 1:6) 3. Holding the form of sound words (2 Timothy 1:13) 4. Turning away and faithfulness in contrast (2 Timothy 1:15) 2 Timothy 1:1 Paul speaks in this last Epistle as an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God “according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus.” It is a blessed word and shows how th

(_b_) 2 Timothy 1:12. AN APPEAL TO PAUL'S OWN EXAMPLE. The second ground of Paul's appeal is _his own example._ He too, being an apostle, suffers hardship. But he is not ashamed (_cf._ 2 Timothy 1:8). For the safeguarding of the truth committed to him he relies on _God's_ power. Timothy must do the same. He has in Paul's own words a pattern of sound teaching. Let him guard his trust, relying, like Paul, not on his own strength, but on the indwelling spirit. 2 TIMOTHY 1:12. THAT WHICH, etc.: rather as _mg. i.e._ the true doctrine (1 Timothy 1:10 *), the antidote to error....