God’s Word for You
2 Timothy 1:13 sound doctrine
by Pastor Timothy Smith on Saturday, June 6, 2026
13 Keep to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, with faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
This pattern of sound teaching is that way that Paul expressed Christian doctrine to Timothy, as also to Titus and Paul’s other companions and students in the ministry. Paul uses the expression “sound teaching” eleven times in the letters to Timothy and Titus. The word hygiaino (ὑγιαίνω) is also used for being in good health (3 John 1:2; 1 Samuel 25:6). A person with a sound body has no poison or infections. Teaching that is sound has no mixture or content of human opinions, traditions or rules.
To teach the Bible, the Word of God, one must read and know the Bible. We must not “correct” the Scriptures according to our own opinions or “logical deductions.” Instead, we must correct our own thoughts and ideas according to what the Scriptures say. If we were to accept man-made doctrines as the doctrines of God,
1, it is foolish. “Their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men” (Matthew 15:8-9).
2, it will not give any strength, assurance or comfort to the heart. “Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace” (Hebrews 13:9).
3, it is dangerous. It destroys right faith. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15).
4, it is sinful, because God forbids it. “Indeed, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who use their own tongues to say, ‘This is what the LORD declares!’” (Jeremiah 23:31).
In fact, a doctrine does not actually need to agree with the resolutions of any church councils, the ancient confessional writings of the church, the declarations of any popes or bishops, the deductions of human reason, the “findings” of science, etc., but a doctrine must in all parts and points agree with the clear statements of Scripture. For this reason we reject every type and form of human authority, such as the church fathers, the church councils, human reason, philosophy, science, private opinions, the “inner light” of enthusiasts (that is, the Reformed churches), new revelations, the “shrine of the Pope’s heart,” and so on.
The pattern of this sound teaching is especially important for ordinary Christians, so that they are able to learn and remember the basic truths of the Bible with familiar words. This is why we teach using the Small Catechism. In it are the basic teachings of the Scriptures: the Ten Commandments, the roles of Father, Son and Holy Spirit (according to the Apostles’ Creed), the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, the doctrine of forgiveness (that is, the ministry of the keys), and the Lord’s Supper. To this are included some elementary prayers such as a table prayer and morning and evening prayers, and a reminder of Christian duties drawn mainly from Ephesians and Colossians. In the six chief parts, Dr. Luther included short, clear explanations, using language from the Scriptures whenever possible.
For example, when explaining what Christian confession really is, and setting aside petty acts of so-called penitence and mindless repetition, Luther said: “Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments. Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, employer, or employee? Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Have you hurt anyone by word or deed? Have you been dishonest, careless, wasteful, or done other wrong?” And then he asks, “How will the pastor assure a penitent sinner of forgiveness?” And the answer? “He will say, ‘By the authority of Christ, I forgive you your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’” For this, Luther simply used the language of Christ in Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18, along with the formula spoken at baptism (Matthew 28:19). This is the pattern of sound teaching, passed along from professor to students, from pastor to his people, from parents to their children. In this way we learn to apply the law to our lives to convict us of our sin, and the gospel to our hearts to grasp tightly to our Lord and his forgiveness. At the heart of it all are faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm, Minnesota. To receive God’s Word for You via e-mail, please visit the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church website.