2 Timothy 1:13

“Hold fast the form of sound words, etc.] 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 they are not syllabically expressed in Scripture, unless other and better words can be substituted in their room; and especially they are to be tenaciously abode by, when the apparent design by dropping or changing them is to set aside the truths signified by them; such as trinity, unity, essence, person, imputed righteousness, satisfaction, etc.…”

“Hold fast the form--rather as Greek, "Have (that is, keep) a pattern of sound (Greek, 'healthy') words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love." "Keep" suits the reference to a deposit in the context. The secondary position of the verb in the Greek forbids our taking it so strongly as English Version, "Hold fast." The Greek for "form" is translated "pattern" in Ti1 1:16, the only other passage where it occurs. Have such a pattern drawn from my sound words, in opposition to the unsound doctrines so current at Ephesus, vividly impressed (WAHL translates it "delineation"; the verb implies "to make a lively and lasting impress") on thy mind. in faith and love--the element IN which my…”

“Hold fast the form of sound words; - see the notes at 1 Timothy 1:3. On the Greek word here rendered “form,” see the notes at 1 Timothy 1:16, where it is rendered pattern. The word means a form, sketch, or imperfect delineation - an outline. Grotius says that it here means “an exemplar, but an exemplar fixed in the mind - an idea.” Calvin says that the command is that he should adhere to the doctrine which he had learned, not only in its substance, but in its form. Dr. Tillotson explains this as meaning the profession of faith which was made by Christians at baptism. There seems to be an allusion to some summary or outline of truth which Paul had given to Timothy, though there is no evidence…”

“The pattern of sound words - The model of pure, wholesome doctrine. 2 Timothy 1:14”

“Hold: Ti2 1:14, Ti2 3:14; Pro 3:18, Pro 3:21, Pro 4:4-8, Pro 4:13, Pro 23:23; Phi 1:27; Th1 5:21; Tit 1:9; Heb 3:6, Heb 4:14, Heb 10:23; Jde 1:3; Rev 2:25, Rev 3:3, Rev 3:11 the form: Pro 8:14; Rom 2:20, Rom 6:17; Ti1 1:10, Ti1 6:3; Tit 2:1, Tit 2:8 which: Ti2 2:2; Phi 4:9 in faith: Col 1:4; Ti1 1:14 2 Timothy 1:14”