2 Timothy 1:13 – The Pattern of Sound Words

Man has ever sought to be free of divine restraint. In the early days of the church, a philosophy known as antinomianism was prevalent. It was the ideology that argued: “We are not under law.”

The concept is not dead even today. There are some, even in the church of the Lord, who allege that we are under grace — not law. It is claimed that the New Testament is a collection of “love letters,” and not a legal brief.

Some openly repudiate what they call “pattern theology.” The apostle Paul did not, however. To Timothy he wrote:

“Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13).

Does not the expression “pattern of sound words” indicate that there is a law (cf. 1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2), or a rule (Gal. 6:16) by which we are to live? Assuredly it does. (See Are We Under Law or Grace? and Is Christian Worship Regulated by New Testament Law?)

Underscore the term “pattern” and observe: Inspired revelation — our pattern, standard. Note some of these additional references as well.