"Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."
2 Timothy 1:13 (NKJV)
Several years ago, I worked in a factory where a lot of things were made out of metal. There were various stages of production where different pieces were made and then assembled to make the final product. We had several patterns of the different things that were being made, and these patterns were used to show someone how to correctly do the work that had to be done. Without an accurate pattern, things could be done all kinds of ways, with some of those ways being the wrong way.
In the letters that Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus, it is interesting to see how Paul encouraged them to do and say things in the same way that he had. Paul said he gave them a pattern to follow with the words he used, the things he said. The word "pattern" here, can mean an outline, an example, or a pattern. Paul gave Timothy and Titus a pattern to follow with what he said. Paul gave them an example, that they could follow, so they would know how to say the right kind of things.
In Titus 2:1, Paul wrote about saying things that promote sound doctrine, good teaching. In Titus 2:8, Paul said we should have the kind of speech that cannot be condemned, saying things that others could not find fault with. Ephesians 4:29 says that we should not use any corrupt (rotten, corrupt, or poor quality) speech. We may not be an apostle like Paul, but we can help others by giving them a good pattern to follow. Our words can, and should be, a good example for others to follow.
2 Timothy 1:13 (NKJV)
Several years ago, I worked in a factory where a lot of things were made out of metal. There were various stages of production where different pieces were made and then assembled to make the final product. We had several patterns of the different things that were being made, and these patterns were used to show someone how to correctly do the work that had to be done. Without an accurate pattern, things could be done all kinds of ways, with some of those ways being the wrong way.
In the letters that Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus, it is interesting to see how Paul encouraged them to do and say things in the same way that he had. Paul said he gave them a pattern to follow with the words he used, the things he said. The word "pattern" here, can mean an outline, an example, or a pattern. Paul gave Timothy and Titus a pattern to follow with what he said. Paul gave them an example, that they could follow, so they would know how to say the right kind of things.
In Titus 2:1, Paul wrote about saying things that promote sound doctrine, good teaching. In Titus 2:8, Paul said we should have the kind of speech that cannot be condemned, saying things that others could not find fault with. Ephesians 4:29 says that we should not use any corrupt (rotten, corrupt, or poor quality) speech. We may not be an apostle like Paul, but we can help others by giving them a good pattern to follow. Our words can, and should be, a good example for others to follow.
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