Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
2 Timothy 1:14 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 14. 14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse charges Timothy to guard the good deposit through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Share the gospel's cost by God's power, not by staying where you are harmed
This verse is one part of that explanation in 2 Timothy 1:8–14. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- 2 Timothy 1:8–14
Read 2 Timothy 1:14 with 1:8–14. This verse charges Timothy to guard the good deposit through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The complete unit establishes this movement: Timothy is called not to be ashamed but to share gospel suffering by God's power, hold the pattern of sound words in faith and love, and guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The unit makes courage concrete as public allegiance, costly solidarity, careful transmission, and Spirit-enabled guardianship. Within that movement, this verse charges Timothy to guard the good deposit through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Read 2 Timothy 1:12–14 together
Why these verses belong together: The debated deposit in verse 12 is clarified by the sound pattern and good deposit in verses 13–14.
Verse 12. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Verse 13. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Verse 14. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Follow the Context
- Timothy must not be ashamed of the testimony or the imprisoned writer.
- He is invited to share suffering according to God's power.
- Saving calling rests on grace, now manifested in Christ's abolition of death and disclosure of life.
- The writer's commission and suffering model confident trust.
- Timothy must hold a sound pattern in faith and love.
- He must guard the good deposit through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“keep by the Holy Ghost”
In plain language: Guard the entrusted good through the Spirit's presence, not raw control.
charges Timothy to guard the good deposit through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Spirit enables faithful preservation of life-giving truth.
Why it matters: The wording carries interpretive or ethical risk that requires the full unit and its stated limits.
How certain? strongWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
Guarding doctrine does not authorize coercion, censorship by violence, or hiding abuse.
What Remains True
The Spirit enables faithful preservation of life-giving truth.
How It Can Shape Life
- Use accountable teaching and transparent records rather than gatekeeping by force.
Teach It Back
Explain 2 Timothy 1:14's contribution to 2 Timothy 1:8–14: charges Timothy to guard the good deposit through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Include what the surrounding verses add, the stated uncertainty, and what this verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read 2 Timothy 1:8–14 — Share Suffering and Guard the Entrusted GoodSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing KJV wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 2 Timothy 1:8–14, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, morphology targets, and base text for original-language discussion.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/2Tim.txt, 1:8–14
Open the 2 Timothy Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — 2 Timothy with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005–2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level syntax, KJV-era wording, textual alternatives, and interpretive notes.
Exact location: NET Bible official 2 Timothy PDF, 1:8–14 translation and attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open the official NET 2 Timothy PDF ↗