2 Timothy 1:13

Authorized King James Version

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ὑποτύπωσιν
G5296
the form
typification under (after), i.e., (concretely) a sketch (figuratively) for imitation
#2
ἔχε
G2192
Hold fast
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
#3
ὑγιαινόντων
G5198
of sound
to have sound health, i.e., be well (in body); figuratively, to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine)
#4
λόγων
G3056
words
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
#5
ὧν
G3739
which
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#6
παρ'
G3844
of
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
#7
ἐμοῦ
G1700
me
of me
#8
ἤκουσας
G191
thou hast heard
to hear (in various senses)
#9
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#10
πίστει
G4102
faith
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
#11
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#12
ἀγάπῃ
G26
love
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
#13
τῇ
G3588
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#15
Χριστῷ
G5547
Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#16
Ἰησοῦ·
G2424
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing faith central to epistemology and the means by which humans receive divine revelation and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection