2Ti 1:13-15 “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. This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.”
Paul’s instruction to “hold fast” is one we would do well to heed. The translation carries with it the idea of “being possessed with.” We are to be fixated on the form of sound words. Our aim should be to speak soundly concerning the truth of God.
It would almost sound like Paul was saying there was a formula of speech that we should use. However, this was not Paul’s intent. Paul was telling us to be grounded in speaking the truth. The truth as it is in God’s word should always be our form or pattern.
We sometimes find ourselves using phrases or presenting an idea because someone we respect uses them. Even if what they are saying is true, we need to always be sure that we are saying it because the Bible teaches it. It is our responsibility to study God’s word and know we are using the right source for our beliefs. Our words should be uncorrupted (sound), and God’s word is surely uncorrupted.
It is a great blessing to have men in our lives who have preached the uncorrupted gospel of Jesus Christ. We should acknowledge and be thankful for God’s gift in them. Still, our focus should be beyond them. We need to be looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Paul also tells Timothy that there is a particular way in which we are to “hold fast the form of sound words.” We are to do so in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. We are to have our reliance on Christ for our deliverance in (not from) the afflictions of the gospel. The gospel should always be presented from the love that is in Christ Jesus.
We sometimes forget that even rebuke from Jesus was given out of love for His people. Our focus should be on the truth that He has commanded us to love each other as He loves us. He loves us when He has lifted us up to heavenly places, and He loves us when we feel His chastening. One is no less loving than the other when Jesus is the source.
We should be very thankful that Paul did not give this charge for us to do in our own strength. There are times when doubt and turmoil would pull us away from our convictions if we are leaning on our own strength. We can keep this good thing which the calling of God has committed unto us by the power of the Holy Ghost. That marvelous power is always on hand because the Holy Ghost lives in us!
Not everyone is going to always support holding fast the form of sound words. It is not going to curry the favor of those who are not willing to bear the afflictions of the gospel. Sometimes they are going to turn away. Our strength is in the faith and love which is in Jesus and guarded by the Holy Ghost that dwells in us.
May God give us the grace to be addicted to His uncorrupted word!
