Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13)
Anyone who has ever used a pattern to sew a garment knows that you must secure the pattern to the material in order to cut out the pieces properly. Otherwise, the garment will not fit! Likewise, if we do not “hold fast the pattern of sound words” that come from the apostles of Christ, we will not possess the genuine “faith and love which are in Christ Jesus”. It is crucial that you cling to the teachings of Christ’s apostles because what they wrote “are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37). And, please notice that a “pattern” of “sound words” does indeed exist. The words of the apostles are “sound” (wholesome, healthy) and teach us “faith and love” in Christ. When we violate their teaching we do not honor Christ. Hold fast to the word of Christ in order to have the “faith and love” that pleases God.
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