2 Timothy 1:13 Pattern following

2 Timothy 1:13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

Here again there is an emphasis on orthodoxy. (See for example 1 Timothy 6:3). What Timothy has heard from Paul he must keep as the pattern of sound teaching. No sooner is orthodoxy established than the danger of dead orthodoxy also raises its head but Paul is clear - the keeping of the pattern of sound teaching, by Timothy must be done always with faith and love in Christ Jesus. All of us, especially ministers, need then to keep the pattern of sound teaching and to do so with faith and love in Christ Jesus. The former means construction some sort of systematic theology from God's Word and then constantly exposing it to Scripture. The latter also demands exposure to the Word but with an eagerness to live out what we find in God's Word so that our faith in God and our love to him are constantly growing. Gill suggests that this verse alludes to artists, who first make outlines. Having made a rough draught they then lay on their colours. The original lines are the rule and pattern for the whole work. What Paul has in mind is what has often been called the rule of faith.