Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Paul asserts his apostolic authority not for Timothy's sake alone; Timothy already believed. He writes with these grand titles because he stands at death's door and means to seal his whole ministry with his blood, that the Church may know his doctrine comes from God Himself, not from a mortal man's opinion.
AI summary
Commenting on 2 Timothy 1:1-18
Timothy must stir up his gifts like fire under embers, exercising them constantly; gifts unused decay like muscles in idleness. The great poison to usefulness is slavish fear, which buried the wicked servant's talent and will bury yours if you let it.
AI summary
Commenting on 2 Timothy 1:6-14
Hold fast the form of sound words,.... By "words" are meant, not mere words, but doctrines; for the servants of the Lord should not strive about words, to no profit, or be too tenacious of them. Indeed when words have long obtained, and have been very useful to convey just ideas of truth to the mind, they are not to be easily parted with, though...