Biblion Bible Commentary
Read the introduction to 2 Timothy · About this commentary
Guard the Deposit
2 Timothy 1:13-14
13 Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. · WEB
The same word used of what God keeps for Paul is used of what Timothy must keep for God.
Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me. The word for pattern means an outline or sketch — the shape of a thing rather than its every detail — and what Timothy holds is a form of teaching he can recognize deviations from.
The medium is specified: in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Sound words held without those two become something else, and the letter will shortly describe men who argue about words to no profit 2 Timothy 2:14.
Verse 14 repeats the deposit language and reverses its direction. That good thing which was committed to you, guard. Paul committed his to God in verse 12 and expects it kept; here Timothy has been given one and must keep it. The trusteeship runs both ways in two verses.
And the means is named, because the charge would otherwise be crushing: guard it through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. A young man told to preserve the apostolic faith against everything coming is not left to do it on nerve — which is also the answer to the timidity of 2 Timothy 1:7.
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