From the text of the R.V. we discover that Paul is the only N.T. writer who uses the

title "Christ Jesus". According to the R.V. Acts 24: 24 should read "Christ Jesus", as

also Rom. 6: 3, 11, 23; 8: 11, 34; 15: 16, 17; I Cor. 1: 4; II Cor. 1: 1; Gal. 2: 16

(2nd ref); 3: 14; 5: 6, 24;

Eph. 1: 1; 2: 20; 3: 1, 6;

Phil. 1: 1 (twice), 8, 26;

Col. 4: 12;  I Tim. 1: 1, 2 (three times); 4: 6; 5: 21;  II Tim. 1: 1, 10; 2: 3; 4: 1;

Titus 1: 4; and Philemon 9.

On the other hand, in the R.V. Heb. 3: 1 reads "Jesus", while I Pet. 5: 10 and 14

both read "Christ". According to the Revised Text, the Apostle has used the title "Christ

Jesus" with greater frequency than the A.V. shows, but only in the epistles to the church

or to Timothy, Titus and Philemon; never in the Epistle to the Hebrews.

The revelation of the mystery is impossible apart from the ascended Christ, and He is

accordingly set forth in Paul's ministry as "Christ Jesus". The number of occurrences of

this title in Paul's ministry is 80, the number that stands for resurrection, lordship, the

octave, a fresh start, newness. This number includes the one reference in the Acts,

namely, 24: 24. Paul did not hesitate to speak to the Roman ruler concerning the faith

that is in "Christ Jesus". Sometimes the preaching of what is miscalled "the simple

gospel" is a betrayal, and often is neither "simple" nor "good news".

Coming back therefore to II Tim. 1: 12-14 we see that the Apostle so believed the

truth entrusted to him that neither prison, suffering, nor desertion could make him

ashamed, for he had implicit confidence that the Lord Who had entrusted him with so

sacred a deposit of truth was well able to guard it until that day. To help Timothy in this

sacred stewardship, Paul tells him to have ever before him, as an adumbration, or sketch,

the sound words that he had heard of him among many witnesses (II Tim. 2: 2), and

which Timothy had believed and towards which he had shown such love. "Guard", said

the Apostle, "that good deposit by the holy ghost which dwelleth in us".

Pneuma hagion ("holy spirit") without the article (the) usually refers to one of the

"gifts of the Spirit" and, in this case, to that gift which was in Timothy by the laying on

of the Apostle's hands (II Tim. 1: 6), and which he had exhorted him to stir up and use.

To-day we have no gift like that possessed by Timothy, yet we have something which

Timothy did not posses, the complete Scriptures, and to-day He Who knows the frailty of

the earthen vessel will stand by every one of like mind with Timothy as He stood by Paul

at the beginning. May we be mindful of the "pattern" and "guard the good deposit".