13Hold the pattern of sound words which you heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. [1:14] Guard the good deposit entrusted to you through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. [1:15] You know this — that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. [1:16] May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain. [1:17] But when he was in Rome, he sought me out eagerly and found me — [1:18] may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord in that day. And how much he ministered in Ephesus, you know very well.
2TI 1:13-18
Holding to Sound Teaching
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Roman world, the concept of a (deposit) carried legal and ethical weight, often involving the trust placed in someone to safeguard something of value. Timothy, as a leader in the early Christian community, would have understood this term in the context of preserving the apostolic teaching entrusted to him. The mention of (pattern) underscores the importance of adhering to a consistent, reliable model of sound teaching, which was crucial in a context where competing philosophies and false teachings proliferated. The Spirit’s indwelling is highlighted as the means by which this deposit is kept, reflecting early Christian reliance on divine empowerment. The reference to Onesiphorus’s actions—refreshing Paul and not being ashamed of his chains—would have resonated with listeners familiar with the honor-shame culture of the Roman Empire, where associating with a prisoner could bring social stigma. Onesiphorus’s loyalty and courage would have been seen as exemplary in a community navigating persecution and social marginalization.
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How other translations render this
2TI 1:13
- KJV
- Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
- BSB
- Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
- Koinōnos
- Hold the pattern of sound words which you heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
2TI 1:14
- KJV
- That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
- BSB
- Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
- Koinōnos
- Guard the good deposit entrusted to you through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
2TI 1:15
- KJV
- This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
- BSB
- You know that everyone in the Province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
- Koinōnos
- You know this — that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
2TI 1:16
- KJV
- The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
- BSB
- May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he has often refreshed me and was unashamed of my chains.
- Koinōnos
- May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain.
2TI 1:17
- KJV
- But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
- BSB
- Indeed, when he arrived in Rome, he searched diligently until he found me.
- Koinōnos
- But when he was in Rome, he sought me out eagerly and found me —
2TI 1:18
- KJV
- The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
- BSB
- May the Lord grant Onesiphorus His mercy on that day. You know very well how much he ministered to me in Ephesus.
- Koinōnos
- may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord in that day. And how much he ministered in Ephesus, you know very well.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
2TI 1:13
- [The] pattern:The word translated 'pattern' refers to an outline or a sketch, suggesting a foundational form or model that provides the essential structure rather than every minute detail.
- of sound:The word translated 'sound' literally means healthy or wholesome, implying teaching that is robust, life-giving, and free from corruption, much like a healthy body.
2TI 1:14
- entrusted deposit:The phrase 'entrusted deposit' refers to something valuable given to another for safekeeping, with the expectation that it will be guarded and returned intact.
2TI 1:16
- he refreshed:The word translated 'he refreshed' originally meant to cool or revive, often used for someone who is weary or faint, bringing them back to a state of renewed strength and spirit.