Bible Studies

Paul tells Timothy Stand Firm and be Steadfast in The Faith Part 1

2 Timothy 1:13-14 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. KJV

Having declared to Brother Timothy the reason for his suffering, Paul now wants to exhort and encourage Timothy (despite what he has seen Paul endure) to stand firm and fast in 'The Faith' that is solid and is founded on 'The Rock' who is our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, so Paul writes these words now to Timothy, "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 1:13) (KJV). The little English phrase 'hold fast' at the very beginning of this verse is translated by the Greek word  echō which is a primary verb (used in certain tenses only); to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession, ability, contiguity, relation or condition): The little English phrase 'the form' is translated by the Greek word hupotupōsis (used only one other place in the New Testament) which means typification under (after), that is, (concretely) a sketch (figuratively) for imitation: - form, pattern. The English word 'sound' is translated by the Greek word hugiainō which means (as used here) figuratively to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine): The English word 'words' is translated by the Greek word logos which means (as used here) something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive.

In other words, the Apostle Paul wants Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation to hold uncorrupt and true doctrine as our possession or to take ownership of the truth of the Word of God as he and the other Apostles have given it out to the entire world, just as the Proverb proclaims with these words, "Invest in truth and wisdom, discipline and good sense, and don't part with them." (Proverbs 23:23) (Contemporary English Version). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning holding fast to sound doctrine, "The word hupotupōsis signifies the sketch, plan, or outline of a building, picture, etc.; 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."

When Paul writes 'which thou hast heard of me', he means that this one and only Gospel of Grace is what he taught to Timothy and to every person who had ears to hear the message of grace, therefore, Paul wants Timothy to trust that the sound words that he spoke to him were by direct Revelation from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, just as Paul had declared to the Galatian believers with these words, "My friends, I want you to know that no one made up the message I preach. It wasn't given or taught to me by some mere human. My message came directly from Jesus Christ when He appeared to me." (Galatians 1:11-12) (Contemporary English Version), therefore, depend upon them and abide by them and hold firmly to them no matter what happens to you during your sojourn here on the earth. When Paul writes 'in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus', he means for Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation to hold these truths with sincere faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and expressing that faith and testifying of it to others with the love of God which has been given to us by God the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

This very idea and desire of the Apostle Paul to Timothy he sums up with these words in the very next verse, "That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us." (2 Timothy 1:14) (KJV). The little English phrase 'that good thing' is translated by the Greek word kalos which means (as used here) properly beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), that is, valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use). The little English phrase 'which was committed unto thee' is translated by the Greek word parakatathēkē (used only one other place in the New Testament) meaning (as used here) something put down alongside, that is, a deposit (sacred trust): The English word 'keep' is translated by the Greek word phulassō meaning (as used here) to watch, that is, be on guard (literally or figuratively); by implication to preserve. In other words, the wholesome and sound doctrine that had been taught to him by Paul the Apostle was to be guarded as the sacred trust it is because of its value and virtue, not only for Brother Timothy, but for all sinners in the entire world. This could not be successfully done by Brother Timothy or any of us who have trusted our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, but we must yield ourselves to God the Holy Spirit (who dwells in us) and allow His Power to work out through us in keeping and guarding the Gospel of Grace no matter our outward circumstances of persecution by the enemy of our souls and the human instruments he employs to do his bidding. Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say concerning the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to preserve God's Word to us, "The indwelling Spirit enables us to keep from the robbers of the soul the deposit of His word committed to us by God."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…