2 Timothy 1:13
What does 2 Timothy 1:13 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 1:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 1:13 means
Paul commands Timothy to hold to the “pattern of sound words” he heard from Paul. The gospel has a discernible shape—a standard of healthy teaching that must be retained. Timothy must cling to it “in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus,” showing that orthodoxy is not dry correctness but trust in Christ and love for God and people. Right doctrine and right character belong together. “Pattern” suggests Timothy is to use Paul’s teaching as a blueprint for preaching and living. By keeping to the apostolic standard, he will resist novelty and error. Faith and love provide the manner and motive, ensuring the truth is held humbly, courageously, and fruitfully.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Keep the form of those true words which you had from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The pattern hold thou of sound words, which from me thou didst hear, in faith and love that <FI>is<Fi> in Christ Jesus;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Hold the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me: in faith and in the love which is in Christ Jesus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Have an outline of sound words, which [words] thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which [are] in Christ Jesus.
Context
After Paul’s testimony of trust (verse 12), verse 13 turns to Timothy’s responsibility to maintain apostolic teaching. It precedes the command to guard the entrusted deposit through the Holy Spirit (verse 14). The order is important: confidence in Christ’s keeping leads to careful stewardship of truth. This instruction anticipates the problem of desertion (verse 15) by stressing fidelity to the established pattern. It also prepares for later exhortations about teaching and handling the word rightly in the letter. Holding the pattern is Timothy’s defense against both fear and falsehood.
v.12For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day.
v.13This passage
v.14That good thing which was committed unto thee guard through the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 4:9
The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
- Proverbs 3:18
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her.
- Titus 1:9
holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.
- 1 Timothy 1:10
for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;
- Revelation 3:11
I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown.
- Titus 2:1
But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:
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