Anyone who compares Leviticus with Matthew recognizes that the New Testament does not take a legal approach. The New Covenant emphasizes God’s will, but in the context of His mercy through Christ, so that our salvation depends on His grace, not our efforts to earn His favor (Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5-7). That same grace trains us how to live (Titus 2:11-12). As it sets standards for personal living, it also set standards for Christ’s collective body, the church. Paul wrote to show Timothy “how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15). His instructions included matters of worship and leadership, with warnings against straying into other doctrines (1 Timothy 1:6, 19-20; 4:1-8; 5:15). As death drew near, Paul passed the baton, urging Timothy to carry apostolic teachings forward, into the future.
Follow the pattern (hupotuposis) of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you…. What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:2)
There was room for flexibility in lesser matters (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8), but there was a pattern (Greek: hupotuposis, tupos) for basics, including how believers entered Christ (Romans 6:3-4).
But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard (tupos) of teaching to which you were committed. (Romans 6:17 cf. Romans 6:3-4)
TUPOS SPEAKS OF SAMENESS.
Some have differed about the nature and details of the pattern, but their struggles do not diminish the reality: A standard exists. It should be held onto and followed. One authority on New Testament Greek says of tupos, “The word speaks of a pattern by which one can maintain the sameness of a thing.”