Keep that Which was Committed to You 2 Timothy 1:14

According to Paul the apostle, Timothy was to “Hold fast the form of sound words, which” he had “heard of” him, “in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus”. This meant that Timothy was not only to cling to Paul's words, but to live according to them as an example to others concerning a relationship with Jesus Christ. In chapter one and verse fourteen of this final letter to Timothy, Paul exhorted Timothy to “keep” “that which was committed to” him where we read:

That good thing which was committed unto you keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us.

The verse begins, “That good thing which was committed unto you...” Paul began with, “That good thing” which is all one Greek word “kalos” which means that “beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable and admirable thing”, which refers to the truth and word of God, “which was committed unto you”, which is another single Greek word “parakatathēkē” that means “a deposit, a trust or thing consigned to one's faithful keeping”. In other words, in this verse Paul referred to the truth of the word of God he consigned and deposited within Timothy.

The verse goes on to say, “...keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us.” Paul's direction concerning this “good thing” was to “keep” or “guard, watch over, protect, have an eye upon and observe” “by the Holy Ghost” which means “through the Most Holy and Sacred third Person in the Trinity” “which dwells” or “lives, abides and resides and thereby influences” “in us” or “with, by and within us”. It was by the power of the “Holy Ghost” or “Holy Spirit” of God that Timothy would be able to “keep” “that good thing which was committed” unto him, and Timothy was to rely fully upon the Holy Spirit to “guard, watch over and protect” the truth of the word of God he received.

As we think about Paul's words, it is interesting to note Paul's need to exhort Timothy in this area. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit Paul wrote these words, and the Lord saw it necessary to remind Timothy to “keep” that “which was committed unto” him. Perhaps we too should be reminded that we have the word of God “committed” to us as well. In what manner do we “keep” it? Are we “protecting and watching over” the truth of God's word by the power of the Holy Spirit in us, or do we simply give it a glance every once in a while? As we read the Bible we can understand the exhortation of those within it to keep some particular way or rule, and never apply that same way unto ourselves. Let us imagine we are Timothy for a moment, and Paul has just written the exhortation to us to “keep that good thing which was committed unto you”, and may the Lord Jesus help us through the power of His Holy Spirit within us to keep it as He desires.

Next time Paul tells Timothy about those who have “turned away” from him, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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