John Calvin Commentary 2 Timothy 1:13

"Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." — 2 Timothy 1:13 (ASV)

Hold the form of sound words. Some explain it as follows: “Let your doctrine be, as it were, a pattern which others may imitate.” I do not approve of that view. Equally removed from Paul’s meaning is Chrysostom’s exposition, that Timothy should have at hand the image of virtues engraved on his heart by Paul’s doctrine.

Instead, I think that Paul commands Timothy to hold fast to the doctrine he had learned, not only as to its substance but also as to the very form of expression. For ὑποτύπωσις—the word Paul uses on this occasion—denotes a lively picture of objects, as if they were actually placed before the eyes.

Paul knew how ready people are to depart or fall away from pure doctrine. For this reason, he earnestly cautions Timothy not to turn aside from the form of teaching he had received and to regulate his manner of teaching by the rule that had been laid down. This is not because we should be overly scrupulous about words, but because misrepresenting doctrine, even in the smallest degree, is exceedingly harmful.

Therefore, we see what kind of theology there is in Popery, which has degenerated so far from the pattern Paul recommends that it resembles the riddles of diviners or soothsayers rather than a doctrine taken from the word of God. What taste of Paul’s writings, I ask, is there in all the books of the schoolmen? This licentiousness in corrupting doctrine shows that there are great reasons why Paul invites Timothy to hold fast to the original and natural form. And he contrasts sound words not only with doctrines clearly wicked, but with useless questions, which, instead of health, bring nothing but disease.

In faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus. I am aware that the preposition ἐν, in agreement with the idiom of the Hebrew language (ב), is often taken to mean with; but here, I think, the meaning is different. Paul has added this as a mark of sound doctrine, so that we may know what it contains and what its summary is—the whole of which, according to his custom, he includes under “faith and love.”

He places both of them in Christ; as indeed, the knowledge of Christ consists chiefly of these two parts. For although the words, which is, are in the singular number, agreeing with the word love, it must also be understood as applying to faith.

Those who translate it, “with faith and love,” understand it to mean that Timothy should add to sound doctrine the affections of piety and love. I do acknowledge that no one can persevere faithfully in sound doctrine unless he is endowed with true faith and unfeigned love. But the former exposition, in my opinion, is more appropriate: namely, that Paul uses these terms to describe more fully the nature of “sound words” and their subject. Thus, he says that the summary consists in “faith and love,” the source and beginning of which is the knowledge of Christ.