2 Timothy 1 · Verse 13

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.

2 Timothy 1:13, King James Version

2 Timothy 1:13 in other translations

BSB	Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
WEB	Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
ASV	Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
YLT	The pattern hold thou of sound words, which from me thou didst hear, in faith and love that is in Christ Jesus;
DARBY	Have an outline of sound words, which words thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
BBE	Keep the form of those true words which you had from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Webster	Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

What does 2 Timothy 1:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

13. Hold fast the form--rather as Greek, "Have (that is, keep) a pattern of sound (Greek, 'healthy') words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love." "Keep" suits the reference to a deposit in the context. The secondary position of the verb in the Greek forbids our taking it so strongly as English Version, "Hold fast." The Greek for "form" is translated "pattern" in 1Ti 1:16, the only other passage where it occurs. Have such a pattern drawn from my sound words, in opposition to the unsound doctrines so current at Ephesus, vividly impressed (Wahl translates it "delineation"; the verb implies "to make a lively and lasting impress") on thy mind. in faith and love--the element IN which my sound words had place, and in which thou art to have the vivid impression of them as thy inwardly delineated pattern, moulding conformably thy outward profession. So nearly Bengel explains, 1Ti 3:9.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 13. Hold fast the form of sound words. 1Timm 1:3. On the Greek word here rendered "form," 1Timm 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. Archbishop Tilotson 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 summary, it was not committed to writing. If it had been, it would have been regarded as inspired, and would have taken its place in the canon of Scripture. It may be presumed that almost none of the sacred writings would have been more sacredly preserved than such a condensed summary of Christian truth. But there is no improbability in supposing that Paul, either at his ordination, or on some other occasion, may have stated the outlines of the Christian religion to Timothy, that he might have a clear and connected view of the subject. The passage, therefore, may be used as an argument for the propriety of some brief summary of doctrine as a matter of convenience, though not as having binding authority on the consciences of others.

Of sound words. Comp. 1Timm 6:3. The Greek is the same in both places.

Which thou hast heard of me. This proves that he does not refer to a written creed, since what he refers to was something which he had heard.

In faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Hold these truths with sincere faith in the Lord Jesus, and with that love which is the best evidence of attachment to him.

(c) "fast" Rev 2:25 (d) "form" Rom 6:17 (e) "sound words" 1Timm 6:3

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 13 Hold fast the form of sound words - The word ὑποτυπωσις 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. In faith and love - Faith credits the Divine doctrines. Love reduces them all to practice. Faith lays hold on Jesus Christ, and obtains that love by which every precept is cheerfully and effectually obeyed.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:6-14

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…

Read the full comment on 2 Timothy 1:6-14 →

2 Timothy 1:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὙποτύπωσινHupotupōsin[The] patternG5296

ἔχεechedo retainG2192

ὑγιαινόντωνhugiainontōnof soundG5198

λόγωνlogōnwordsG3056

ὧνhōnwhichG3739

παρ᾽par᾽fromG3844

ἐμοῦemoumeG1473

ἤκουσαςēkousasyou did hearG191

ἐνeninG1722

πίστειpistei[the] faithG4102

καὶkaiandG2532

ἀγάπῃagapēloveG26

τῇtēathat [are]G3588

ἐνeninG1722

ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547

Ἰησοῦ·IēsouJesus;G2424

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Timothy 1:13

Titus 1:9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
2 Timothy 3:14
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
Philippians 4:9
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Romans 6:17
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
2 Timothy 2:2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Revelation 3:11
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Revelation 3:3
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
1 Timothy 1:14
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Jude 1:3
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
2 Timothy 1:14
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
1 Timothy 6:3
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hold.
14; 3:14; Pr 3:18,21; 4:4-8,13; 23:23; Php 1:27; 1Th 5:21; Tit 1:9
Heb 3:6; 4:14; 10:23; Jude 1:3; Re 2:25; 3:3,11
the form.
Pr 8:14; Ro 2:20; 6:17; 1Ti 1:10; 6:3; Tit 2:1,8
which.
2:2; Php 4:9
in faith.
Col 1:4; 1Ti 1:14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
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.
2 Timothy 1:14
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

Read all of 2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 1:13 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Retén la forma de las sanas palabras que de mí oíste, en la fe y amor que es en Cristo Jesús.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Aie un modèle des saines paroles que tu as entendues de moi, dans la foi et l’amour qui est dans le christ Jésus.
German Elberfelder 1871	Halte fest das Bild gesunder Worte, die du von mir gehört hast, in Glauben und Liebe, die in Christo Jesu sind.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Formam habe sanorum verborum, quæ a me audisti in fide, et in dilectione in Christo Jesu.