used in opposition to turbulent agitators.  Hygieia was the name of the pagan

goddess of health.  Both the terms `form' and `sound' therefore were of

common use and easily understood, and while the word translated `form' does

not occur in the LXX, hugiazo and its derivations are employed in both the

law and the prophets.  As early as Genesis 29:6 and 43:27 we find the word

used as a greeting, and in Leviticus 13 there are seven occurrences of the

word in connection with the cleansing of the leper.

The most complete presentation of the meaning of the word, however,

lies to our hand.  Hugiaino is employed by Paul eight times, and nowhere else

but in the Pastoral Epistles, one of the many verbal links that bind the two

epistles to Timothy and the one to Titus together as a group.

`Sound doctrine' (1 Tim. 1:10).  In this passage sound doctrine is

opposed to every form of lawlessness, but in full accord with `the glorious

gospel of the blessed God'.  There is a particular reference in the earlier

verses of the chapter to those who desire to be teachers of the law,

but who understand neither what they say, nor what they affirm, whose

teaching consists more of fables and endless genealogies, which minister

questions, rather than a godly edifying which is in faith (1 Tim. 1:1 -10).

`Wholesome words' (1 Tim. 6:3).  Again, this doctrine is not only sound

in its doctrinal expression, but is very closely connected with consistent

practice, `that the name of God and His doctrine, be not blasphemed', and

this soundness of doctrine is to be manifested in faithful service and the

relationships of servant and master.  These `wholesome words' like the `sound

doctrine' of chapter 1, are `according to godliness' (1 Tim. 6:1 -3).

The four references in Titus form a group thus:

A

The Bishop, the faithful word, sound doctrine.

B

1:13. Houses subverted.

Sound in the faith.

A

The apostle's representative (1 -5) speak sound doctrine.

B

Homes regulated (2:2 -10)

Sound In faith.

Here it will be observed that no merely nice question of verbal

accuracy is intended, but a consistency between the doctrine preached and the

life lived is the insistent note of these four occurrences.

This leaves us with the remaining two passages that are found in the

second epistle to Timothy.

`Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me'

`The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine' (4:3).

Just as sound doctrine is associated with godliness (1 Tim. 6:3), so

the refusal to hear sound doctrine is not through lack of ordinary knowledge,

it is `after their own lusts' that fables are preferred to truth.  Sound

words are wholesome, health giving, life giving, uncorrupted words.  They are

associated with godliness, a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith

unfeigned.  It is not enough that one knows the meaning of the word `mystery'

in Ephesians 3:3, or the characteristic differences of the dispensations.  It

is not enough to be word perfect regarding the phraseology of Ephesians and

Colossians.  Sound words demand wholesome lives, and the apostle's conception