Only behave worthy of the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or be absent, I may hear of you, that ye stand firm in one Spirit, striving together as with one soul for the saith of the gospel;

yet try all things, and hold fast that which is good.

holding fast the faithful word, according as he hath been taught, that he may be able both to instruct in sound doctrine, and to convince gainsayers.

but Christ as a Son over his own house; whose house we are, if we maintain the free profession and exultation of hope firm unto the end.

Having therefore a great high-priest, that is passed into the heavens, even Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession:

Let us inflexibly retain the profession of our hope,

Beloved, having an earnest desire to write to you concerning the common salvation, I was under a necessity of writing to exhort you that ye would strive earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.

but what ye have hold fast till I come.

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent: for if thou be not watchful, I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know at what hour I will come upon thee.

The form

a light to them that are in the darkness, an instructor of the simple, a teacher of babes, having the form of the knowledge and of the truth which is in the law.

But thanks be to God, that ye who were servants of sin, have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you:

parricides, murderers, whoremongers, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, false-swearers, and if there be any thing else contrary to that sound doctrine,

These things teach and exhort. If any one teach otherwise, and adhere not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness;

But do thou speak the things which become sound doctrine:

Which

and the things which thou hast heard from me, before many witnesses, these commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

and what ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these practise; and the God of peace will be with you.

In faith

(having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and your love to all the saints:)

with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

General references

But do thou speak the things which become sound doctrine: