In this verse Timothy is exhorted to have, or follow (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version), as his pattern (Good News Translation “example”) the sound words that he has heard from Paul. For pattern see 1 Tim 1.16, where it is translated as “example.” For sound words see 1 Tim 6.3. There the reference is to the words of Jesus Christ; here it is to the words of Paul, either in his preaching (that is, what Paul says about the gospel) or perhaps in his personal ministry to Timothy. See also the discussion of “sound doctrine” in 1 Tim 1.10.

For faith see 1 Tim 1.2 and 1.4. It should be noted that faith here is without the article in the Greek text and very likely refers to trust in Christ. For love see 1 Tim 1.5 and 1.14. How to interpret the prepositional phrase in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus is not very clear. It seems that faith and love are qualities that Timothy himself possesses and that are made possible by his close relationship to Christ Jesus. Furthermore, in following faithfully the example of Paul, particularly in the area of sound teaching, Timothy should do so in the context of faith and love; in other words, as Timothy endeavors to follow the sound teachings of Paul, his whole being should be permeated by his trust in Christ and his love for others. This understanding is reflected in Good News Translation, where the prepositional phrase is translated as an imperative: “remain in the faith and love that are ours in union with Christ Jesus.” This translation model will be very difficult for translators in languages which must use verbal expressions for faith and love. In such cases an alternative translation model for the second part of this verse is “As you follow this model, you should continue to trust Christ and love others. You can do this because you are united with Christ Jesus.” Or “… This is made possible by your union with Christ Jesus.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .