Guard the Treasure

Steven’s Scribbles
“Guard the Treasure”
2 Tim. 1:13-14


    In the Lord’s church, we are often referred to as “patternists.” While some may intend this as an insult, it is actually a great compliment. We believe the New Testament provides a pattern for us to follow (Philippians 3:17). One passage that strongly supports this doctrine is 2 Timothy 1:13-14, where Paul writes:
"Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you." (Emphasis added)
    There are two key action verbs here: retain and guard. Retaining is for our own personal faith and salvation—we must hold firm to the teachings of Christ. But guarding? That is for the protection of the Scriptures, defending them against bad actors, wolves in sheep’s clothing, and those who twist the truth.
Peter warned the early church about people who deliberately distorted Paul’s words:
"…in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they also do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:16)
    Unfortunately, we see this same issue today. Many Christians turn to non-believers for their understanding of Scripture, relying on figures like Jordan Peterson, Alex O’Connor, or Billy Carson—individuals who may be intelligent but are not rooted in the truth of God’s word. This is dangerous.
    God’s Word is a treasure, and we must guard it—not just for ourselves, but for the world today and for future generations.
I love you all!
In His Service,
Steven Hugley