ESOCS Devotional 22 February 2025 – Hold Fast to SOund Doctrine
MEMORY VERSE: “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:13 KJV
TEXT: 2 TIMOTHY 1:1-18
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, a beloved son:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
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.
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Timothy was in a time of transition. He had been Paul’s bright young helper: soon he would be on his own as leader of a difficult, but critically important church. At this time, Timothy was in conflict with those who were teaching something that was contrary to what he had been taught by Paul. So, Paul here reminded him that he must continue in what he was taught (2 Timothy 1:14).
“Sound words” means healthy teaching, words of truth. “Form of sound words” means a pattern and standard of healthy teaching. Timothy must ensure he followed and maintained the pattern and standard of healthy teaching Paul taught him – that is, the foundation he (Paul) laid for him as he (Timothy) was about heading a church, and false teaching was being brandied about by some false teachers at this time.
We have some lessons to learn here. The fact that Paul encouraged Timothy to hold fast to the words of truth implies that it is possible for one to fall away from the grace of God. Christians should make every effort to continue in the teachings of Jesus. They should continue in their belief of the event of the gospel. Lastly, when we are in difficult transitions, we should follow Paul’s advice to Timothy and look back at our experience.
The foundation of our faith is very important. Be wary of who laid it and build on it. We are in critical times and must hold on to sound teaching, and follow the pattern and standard as laid by our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:14).
CHALLENGES
- Perilous times with its false teachings by false teachers is here.
PRAYER POINT
- Dear heavenly Father, give me the grace to internalize and follow healthy teaching.
FURTHER READING: 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; Titus 1:9; Hebrews 10:23
ESOCS Devotional 22 February 2025
