13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:12–13 (ESV)
“The slogan, so popular today, ‘It does not matter what you believe, just so you are serious (sincere) in whatever you believe,’ is flatly contradicted in the Pastorals! Nevertheless, the spirit in which one clings to the truth and passes it along to others does matter.” [1]
What does the expression follow the pattern (ὑποτύπωσιν ἔχε; hypotyposin eche) mean? It is a present active imperative (command) verb meaning to seize, to retain and hold on to a prototype, model or example. It is a model, or example, to be followed or to be avoided. It refers to an outline of a document or a picture sketch. Paul used the same word, translated as example, in I Timothy 1:16.
16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16 (ESV)
What pattern was Timothy to follow? Paul wrote, “of the sound words.” Of the sound words (ὑγιαινόντων λόγων; hygiainonton logon) means healthy, accurate and correct words. The verb sound is a present, active, genitive imperative. This means what Timothy was to follow the pattern of were solely the accurate, healthy and correct words of God. Paul described these words in two ways.
First, they were words Timothy heard from the apostle. The phrase you have heard (ἤκουσας; ekousas) refers not only to the ability to hear but also understanding attention, and obedience. It does not mean a casual hearing of sounds which are forgotten or misunderstood.
Second, the words were also “in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” Faith (πίστει; pistei) not only refers to personal trust, commitment, dependence and worship but also the object of such personal trust, commitment, dependence and worship. It is not only about the sincerity, or genuineness, of the individual’s faith but the genuineness of the object of the individual’s faith. In this case, the object of faith are the ancient and accurate words of God. Love (ἀγάπῃ; agape) means self-sacrificial love of the will. Both faith and love are in union with the person and work of Jesus Christ.
“As an artist has his sketch (see on 1 Tim. 1:16), so Timothy also had his model to go by. This sketch, model, or pattern consisted of the words which he had heard from Paul. Let him hold on to these, ever using them as his example, never departing from them. This is important, for Paul’s teaching consisted of sound words. Note the emphasis on Paul’s teaching (over against that of the Ephesian errorists): literally, “which from me you have heard.” And it is exactly the necessity of remaining sound and of transmitting sound doctrine that is stressed throughout the epistle and, to a certain extent, in all the Pastorals (cf. 1 Tim. 1:10; 6:3; 2 Tim. 4:3; Titus 1:9, 13; 2:1, 2, 8).” [2]
“From the example of his life, Paul turned to the example or pattern (hypotypōsin; cf. 1 Tim. 1:16) of his teaching. Timothy was to view what he had heard from Paul as the essential outline or sketch of sound teaching (lit., “healthy doctrine”; cf. 1 Tim. 1:10) and was to keep or maintain it. Timothy was to hold the truth with faith and love in Christ Jesus. To be balanced, a commitment to the truth always requires faith and love, virtues which ultimately come only from being “in Christ” (1 Tim. 1:14).”[3]
1. Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart.
Words of life, words of hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home.
Chorus:
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart.
2 Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh, heed the faithful words of Christ.
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart. — Lynn DeShazo
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 237.
[2] Ibid., 236–237.
[3] A. Duane Litfin, “2 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 751.
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