FDYM Reading Plan- 2 Timothy 1:13-18, post by acon

 

 

Be Loyal to the Faith- 2 Timothy 1:13-18

¹³ Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.¹⁵ This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; ¹⁷ but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. ¹⁸ The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

As Paul's earthly life is coming to a close, we see over and over again Paul's strong exhortation to Timothy to "Hold fast the pattern of sound words." This is not something that Paul speaks lightly of... "⁶ If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed." We see here that in order to be spiritually healthy, we must be spiritually fed- through scripture.  In 1 Timothy 6:3-4 it says,"If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, ⁴ he is proud, knowing nothing..." Here we see the seriousness of doctrinal error; lack of sound doctrine will result in lack of godliness and holiness. 

^"14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Paul is vigorously admonishing Timothy to stay close to the gospel; to hold fast to the truth- to God's Word. We too MUST be stead fast in the faith; to cling TIGHTLY to God's Word... because without God's Word we cannot made "complete," we cannot "be equipped for every good work." Without sound doctrine everything after that falls. With sound doctrine we can (by the grace of God) live our lives to the glory and honor of His name; for the furtherance of  His Kingdom. Praise God for that! May we do, "it in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." 

Paul shares in this passage that some of his close friends in the faith had left his side out of fear of persecution. He also shares how he had a friend that remained faithful to him even in his time in prison. Paul desires Timothy to be like the latter. To be faithful.

Father God we pray that you would enable us to hold fast to your Word, to cherish it, to love it, to be fueled by it, and to be equipped by it- for your glory. May we treasure Christ above all else, and it is in Christ's name we pray. Amen.



-ACon :) ­