Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,
Parallel Translations
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Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,
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Be not a shamed to testyfye oure lorde nether be a shamed of me which am bounde for his sake: but suffre adversite with the gospell also thorow the power of god
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Be not therefore ashamed of the testimonie of our Lord, neither of me his prisoner: but be partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel, according to the power of God,
Cross-references (46)
Passages linked to 2 Timothy 1:8 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
- Mark 8:38 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his Father’s glory, with the holy angels.”
- 2 Timothy 4:5 But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
- 1 Peter 4:13-15 But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters.
- Revelation 12:11 They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death.
- 2 Timothy 1:12 For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.
- 2 Timothy 2:9 in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained.
- Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
- Luke 9:26 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.
- Philippians 3:10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death,
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
- Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called,
- 2 Timothy 1:16 May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,
- Romans 16:25
- Ephesians 3:13 Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.
- Philippians 1:7 It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:4 For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.
- 2 Timothy 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- 2 Timothy 2:11-12 This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.
- 1 Peter 1:5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
- 1 John 5:11-12 The testimony is this, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn’t have God’s Son doesn’t have the life.
- Jude 1:24 Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy,
- Revelation 1:9 I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
- Acts 5:41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.
- Romans 9:33 even as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed.”
- Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
- 2 Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
- 1 John 4:14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world.
- Psalms 119:46 I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
- John 19:35 He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe.
- Romans 8:17-18 and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.
- 1 Corinthians 1:6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself.) I am more so: in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, and in deaths often. Five times I received forty stripes minus one from the Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep. I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.
- Revelation 1:2 who testified to God’s word and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw.
- Revelation 19:10 I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, “Look! Don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.”
- Psalms 19:7 Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple.
- Isaiah 51:7 “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law. Don’t fear the reproach of men, and don’t be dismayed at their insults.
- John 15:27 You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
- Romans 8:36 Even as it is written, “For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor. Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place. We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure. Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.
- 2 Corinthians 6:7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
- Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
- Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the assembly,
- Isaiah 8:20 Turn to the law and to the covenant! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
- Colossians 1:11 strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy,
- 1 Timothy 2:6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony in its own times,
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (21 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 8 Be not ashamed, therefore He said this, because…
8 Be not ashamed, therefore He said this, because the confession of the gospel was accounted infamous; and therefore he forbids that either ambition or the fear of disgrace shall prevent or retard him from the liberty of preaching the gospel. And he infers this from what has been already said; for he who is armed with the power of God will not tremble at the noise raised by the world, but will reckon it honorable that wicked men mark them with disgrace.
And justly does he call the gospel the testimony of our Lord; because, although he has no need of our assistance, yet he lays upon us this duty, that we shall give “testimony” to him for maintaining his glory. It is a great and distinguished honor which he confers upon us, and, indeed, upon all, (for there is no Christian that ought not to reckon himself a witness of Christ,) but chiefly pastors and teachers, as Christ said to the apostles, —
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“Ye shall be witnesses to me,” (Acts 1:8.)
Accordingly, the more hateful the doctrine of the gospel is in the world, the more earnestly should they labor to confess it openly.
When he adds, nor of me; by this word he reminds Timothy not to refuse to be his companion, as in a cause common to both of them; for, when we begin to withdraw from the society of those who, for the name of Christ, suffer persecution, what else do we seek than that the gospel shall be free from all persecution? Now, though there were not wanting many wicked men who thus ridiculed Timothy, — “Do you not see what has befallen your master? Do you not know that the same reward awaits you also? Why do you press upon us a doctrine which you see is hissed at by the whole world?” — still he must have been cheered by this exhortation, — “You have no reason to be ashamed of me, in that which is not shameful, for I am Christ’s prisoner;” that is, “Not for any crime or evil deed, but for his name I am kept in prison.”
But be thou a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel He lays down a method by which that which he enjoins may be done; that is, if Timothy shall prepare himself for enduring the afflictions which are connected with the gospel. Whosoever shall revolt at and shrink from the cross will always be ashamed of the gospel. Not without good reason, therefore, does Paul, while he exhorts to boldness of confession, in order that he may not exhort in vain, speak to him also about bearing the cross.
He adds, according to the power of God; because, but for this, and if he did not support us, we should immediately sink under the load. And this clause contains both admonition and consolation. The admonition is, to turn away his eyes from his present weakness, and, relying on the assistance of God, to venture and undertake what is beyond his strength. The consolation is, that, if we endure anything on account of the gospel, God will come forth as our deliverer, that by his power, we may obtain the victory.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain Through the power of God.
Through the power of God.
He proveth that the ignominy or shame of the cross is not only not to be ashamed of, but also that it is glorious and most honorable: first, because the Gospel wherefore the godly are afflicted, is the testimony of Christ: and secondly, because at length the great virtue and power of God appeareth in them.
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For his sake.
The Gospel after a sort is said to be afflicted in them that preach it.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony…
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Ver. 8. Afflictions of the gospel] Affliction is Evangelii genius, a type of the gospel, saith Calvin; hence it is called "the word of Christ’s patience," Rev 2:2; Rev 2:19
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According to the power of God] For unless he supports us by his power, we shall never bear up in affliction.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of…
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord; either the testimony of Christ himself; who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; or that testimony which thou art obliged to give, for the ministers of Christ are to be witnesses unto him, Act 1:8.
Nor of me his prisoner: by this it appears that Paul was a prisoner at Rome when he wrote this; he would not have Timothy ashamed to own him, and the doctrine he had taught, because of that circumstance.
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But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel; that is, be thou content, if God calls thee to it, to take a share with me in those afflictions which I suffer for preaching and professing the gospel, or those afflictions which are inseparable from the gospel.
According to the power of God; through the power of God, for it is given to us on the behalf of Christ, as to believe, so to suffer for Christ’s sake, Phi 1:29.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Be not then therefore ashamed of the testimony of…
Be not then therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,.... Either that testimony which Christ bore personally by his doctrine and miracles, and by his sufferings and death; or rather the Gospel so called, because it comes from Christ, and because it is a testimony concerning him; concerning his person, his offices, his righteousness, blood, sacrifice, and satisfaction; concerning his obedience, sufferings, death, resurrection, ascension, session at God's right hand, intercession for his people, and second coming to judgment; and concerning life and salvation by him: and which no preacher or professor of Christ has reason to be ashamed of, it being so true in itself, so great, so glorious, and so useful; and whoever is, Christ will be ashamed of him another day:
nor of me his prisoner; for Paul was now a prisoner at Rome, but not for any capital crime, or for any immorality, but for the sake of Christ, and for preaching his Gospel; wherefore none of his friends had any reason to be ashamed of him; he was suffering in a glorious cause, and setting a noble example to others; it looks as if Timothy was somewhat blameworthy in this respect.
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But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel; the Gospel is here represented as a person suffering afflictions, and the apostle would have Timothy suffer them as that did, and along with it; he means those afflictions which come upon men for preaching and professing the Gospel; for though the Gospel is a Gospel of peace, yet, through the corruption and depravity of men, it brings a sword, division, and trouble. Tribulation arises on account of it; and this should be endured patiently, and constantly, for the sake of it:
according to the power of God; which is only sufficient to enable persons to bear them; and is mentioned for the encouragement of Timothy and others, to endure them cheerfully.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Therefore be not thou ashamed - When fear is…
Therefore be not thou ashamed - When fear is banished, evil shame also flees away. Of the testimony of our Lord - The gospel, and of testifying the truth of it to all men. Nor of me - The cause of the servants of God doing his work, cannot be separated from the cause of God himself. But be thou partaker of the afflictions - Which I endure for the gospel's sake. According to the power of God - This which overcomes all things is nervously described in the two next verses.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 8. Be not - ashamed of the testimony]…
Verse 8. Be not - ashamed of the testimony] The testimony of Christ is the Gospel in general, which proclaims Christ crucified, and redemption through his blood. In the sight of the world, there appeared to be reason why a man should be ashamed of this; ashamed of him who was crucified as a malefactor; but, when this Gospel became the power of God to the salvation of every one that believed, it was a subject to exult in. Hence the apostle, Ro 1:16, said, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; where see the note.
Nor of me his prisoner] When our friends are in power and credit, we can readily acknowledge them, and take opportunities to show that we have such and such connections; but when the person falls into disgrace or discredit, though we cannot pretend not to know him, yet we take care not to acknowledge him. This induced Cicero, in relation to friendships, to give for a maxim - Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur: "A true friend is known in adverse circumstances;" and from this we have borrowed our proverb, A friend in need, is a friend indeed.
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Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel] No parent could love a child better than Paul loved Timothy; and, behold! he who could wish him nothing but what was great, honourable, and good, wishes him to be a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel! Because, to suffer for Christ, and suffer with Christ, was the highest glory to which any human being in this state could arrive. The royal way to the crown of glory, is by the cross of Christ.
According to the power of God.] While thou hast no more affliction than thou hast grace to sustain thee under, thou canst have no cause to complain. And God will take care that if a faithful discharge of thy duty shall expose thee to afflictions, his power manifested in thee shall be in proportion to thy necessities. His load cannot be oppressive, who is strengthened to bear it by the power of God.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain 2Ti 1:8-10. Be not thou, therefore — Discouraged by…
2Ti 1:8-10. Be not thou, therefore — Discouraged by any dangers or trials; or ashamed of the testimony of our Lord — The gospel which testifies of Christ, or of testifying the truth and importance of it to all men; nor of me his prisoner — The cause of the servants of God, doing his work, cannot be separated from the cause of God himself. But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel — Of such afflictions as I endure for the gospel’s sake: or, be ready to undergo the persecutions and troubles which attend the profession and preaching of the gospel: according to the power of God — That is, as God shall enable thee; who hath saved us —
By faith in his Son and in his gospel, from sin and misery, present and eternal, and therefore we may the more readily endure any temporal evils for the gospel. The love of the Father, the grace of our Saviour, and the whole economy of salvation, are here admirably described. And called us with a holy calling — A calling holy in regard, 1st, Of the author, God; 2d, The means, his word and Spirit; 3d, The end, holiness; not according to our works — See on Rom 9:11; Rom 11:6. But according to his own purpose and grace — That is, his gracious purpose; (see on Eph 3:11;) which was given us in Christ — Through his mediation and grace; before the world began — He being appointed, in the everlasting and unchangeable counsels of God, to be the Redeemer and Saviour of all that should believe in and obey him. But now is made manifest — Is openly revealed and exhibited; by the appearing of our Saviour — By his manifestation in the flesh, and the publication of the gospel of his grace. Who hath abolished death — Hath obtained for persevering believers a glorious resurrection even from temporal death hereafter, and deliverance from the sting of it here; with a title to, and meetness for, the eternal life of both soul and body; so that death shall be completely swallowed up in victory. And hath brought life and immortality to light — Hath clearly revealed by the gospel that immortal life which he hath purchased for us. Or, if αφθαρσιαν be rendered, as it properly may, not immortality, but incorruption, the meaning will be, he hath clearly revealed the life, or existence and happiness, of the soul immediately after death, and the incorruption of the body: or rather, hath made them clear; for the word φωτιζω, here used, means to make a thing clear and plain which was formerly obscure, a translation which is more proper here than to bring to light. “For the Israelites had an obscure knowledge of the immortality of the soul, and of the resurrection of the body, given them in the writings of Moses, as is plain from our Lord’s words, (Luk 20:37,) and from what is related 2Ma 7:9; 2Ma 7:14; 2Ma 7:23. Nevertheless, as these things were but obscurely revealed in the ancient oracles, the far more clear discovery of them in the gospel, but especially Christ’s express promise to raise the dead, and give eternal life to believers, might with the greatest propriety be called a making these things clear.” The heathen also had some confused hopes of the immortality of the soul, but as they had no ground for these hopes but uncertain tradition and their own wishes, they were much in the dark concerning it.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of…
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord - Do not be ashamed to bear your testimony to the doctrines taught by the Lord Jesus; Joh 3:11, Joh 3:32-33; Joh 7:7; compare Act 10:22; Act 20:24; 1Co 1:6; Rev 22:16. Paul seems to have apprehended that Timothy was in some danger of being ashamed of this gospel, or of shrinking back from its open avowal in the trials and persecutions to which he now saw it exposed him.
Nor of me his prisoner - Of the testimony which I have borne to the truth of the gospel. This passage proves that, when Paul wrote this Epistle, he was in confinement; compare Eph 3:1; Eph 6:20; Phi 1:13-14, Phi 1:16; Col 4:3, Col 4:18; Phm 1:9. Timothy knew that he had been thrown into prison on account of his love for the gospel. To avoid that himself, there might be some danger that a timid young man might shrink from an open avowal of his belief in the same system of truth.
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But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel - The sufferings to which the profession of the gospel may expose you; compare the notes at Col 1:24.
According to the power of God - That is, according to the power which God gives to those who are afflicted on account of the gospel. The apostle evidently supposes that they who were subjected to trials on account of the gospel, might look for divine strength to uphold them, and asks him to endure those trials, relying on that strength, and not on his own.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Labour with [5] the gospel. That is, labour with…
Labour with [5] the gospel. That is, labour with me in preaching, &c. Or by the Greek, be partner with me in suffering. (Witham)
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[BIBLIOGRAPHY]
Collabora, Greek: sugkakopatheson. Mala ferto mecum.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain therefore--seeing that God hath given us such a spirit,…
therefore--seeing that God hath given us such a spirit, not that of fear.
Be not thou . . . ashamed--I agree with ELLICOTT, in opposition to ALFORD, that the Greek subjunctive here, with the negative, implies action completed at one time, not continued action, which the present imperative would express; thus implying that Timothy had not decidedly yet evinced such feeling of shame; though I think, Paul, amidst the desertion of others who once promised fair, and from being aware of Timothy's constitutional timidity (see on Ti2 1:7), felt it necessary to stir him up and guard him against the possibility of unchristian dereliction of duty as to bold confession of Christ. Shame (Ti2 1:8) is the companion of fear (Ti2 1:7); if fear be overcome, false shame flees [BENGEL]. Paul himself (Ti2 1:12), and Onesiphorus (Ti2 1:16), were instances of fearless profession removing false shame. He presents in contrast sad instances of fear and shame (Ti2 1:15).
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of the testimony of our Lord--of the testimony which thou art bound to give in the cause of our Lord; he says "our," to connect Timothy and himself together in the testimony which both should give for their common Lord. The testimony which Christ gave before Pilate (Ti1 6:12-13), is an incentive to the believer that he should, after His Lord's example, witness a good testimony or confession.
nor of me his prisoner--The cause of God's servants is the cause of God Himself (Eph 4:1). Timothy might easily be tempted to be ashamed of one in prison, especially as not only worldly shame, but great risk, attended any recognition of Paul the prisoner.
be thou partaker--with me.
of the gospel--rather, as Greek, "for the Gospel," that is, suffered for the Gospel (Ti2 2:3-5; Plm 1:13).
according to the power of God--exhibited in having saved and called us (Ti2 1:9). God who has done the greater act of power (that is, saved us), will surely do the less (carry us safe through afflictions borne for the Gospel). "Think not that thou hast to bear these afflictions by thine own power; nay, it is by the power of God. It was a greater exercise of power than His making the heaven, His persuading the world to embrace salvation" [CHRYSOSTOM].
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 8. Be not… ashamed—As I am not ashamed, 2Ti_1:12.
8. Be not… ashamed—As I am not ashamed, 2Ti_1:12.
Therefore— From the fact that ours is the spirit of power, able to vanquish all false shame.
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Testimony—In behalf of our Lord; or more properly and forcibly, the Lord’s testimony, a testimony to be performed by us, but truly his. And so in the phrase his prisoner, Paul means to call himself, tersely, Christ’s prisoner; kept a prisoner by Christ in behalf of his gospel.
Partaker—As I am Christ’s prisoner, so be thou co-sharer with me of the afflictions of the gospel, dismissing fear and shame, and maintaining a firm sympathy.
According to—In proportion to the power of God viewed here by St. Paul (as in Eph_1:19) as stupendously displayed in the system of salvation as now described in the verse following.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 8–12. Appeal to Timothy to be a brave Champion…
8–12. Appeal to Timothy to be a brave Champion both of the saving work of Christ and of the suffering witness of St Paul
8. Be not thou therefore ashamed] Omit ‘thou’ here, and in ‘be thou partaker;’ the stress is on the ‘shame’ and ‘suffering,’ and no pronoun is expressed in Greek.
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the testimony] For, in behalf of, the Cross of Christ, recalling the very words of Christ, when He first declared ‘the Cross,’ Luk_9:26, ‘whosoever shall be ashamed of me.’ ‘Testimony’ is the neuter word as in 1Ti_2:6 (see note). Here with gen. objective, though in 2Th_1:10 with gen. subjective ‘our testimony unto you.’
our Lord] The phrase occurs only here and in 1Ti_1:14, in St Paul; but is used also by St Peter, 2Pe_3:15, ‘the longsuffering of our Lord,’ and in Heb_7:14, ‘our Lord sprang out of Juda.’
Both quasi-imperative and imperative are aorist, and contrasted with present imperatives imply the taking up or not taking up a particular line of action in contrast with the continuing or not continuing some course. Whether or not Timothy had as yet shewn shame or cowardice, this exhortation delicately looks only to the future. Winer, § 56 b.
me his prisoner] See Introduction, p. 44.
partaker of the afflictions of the gospel] Vulg., Th. Mops. (true reading), ‘collabora Euangelio.’ R.V. suffer hardship with the gospel. The exact form occurs 2Ti_2:2 with no case attached: the thought in both places is the same, and is again elaborated in the rhythmical refrain of 2Ti_2:11-12. Fellowship with Christ, with the Gospel, with St Paul—it is all one and the same thing. ‘With the Gospel’ is more natural than ‘for the Gospel,’ which would need a preposition, ‘in behalf of,’ ‘for the sake of,’ ‘in or ‘unto’ according to N.T. usage. For the personifying, which is quite in St Paul’s manner, compare Tit_2:5, ‘that the word of God be not blasphemed;’ Rom_10:16, ‘they did not all obey the Gospel;’ Php_4:14, ‘ye had fellowship with my affliction;’ and especially Php_1:27, ‘with one soul striving together with the faith of the Gospel.’
according to the power of God] Looks back to 2Ti_1:7; God, who giveth, hath power.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (8) Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony…
(8) Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.—Seeing, then—remembering, then, that God gave you and me (notice the beautiful courtesy of the old martyr waiting for death, death the human guerdon of his fearless life, coupling, as he has been doing, his sorrow-stricken, dispirited friend with himself, whom no danger, no failure had ever affected)—remembering, then, the spirit of power, love, and self-control given to us, do not thou be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord. This “testimony” of which Timothy was not to be ashamed, of course includes the sufferings and the shame of Christ. In these, before mocking, scornful men, must Timothy, as an example to the flock, rather glory; but “the testimony” signifies much more than what relates only to the Passion story. The Christian, instead of being ashamed of his “profession,” must before the world show fearlessly that its hopes and its promises are his most precious treasure.
Nor of me his prisoner.—Nor must Timothy either then, or in days to come, be afraid of confessing before men that he had been the disciple and friend of the prisoner St. Paul, who had paid so dearly for the courage of his opinions. Nor Timothy, nor any Christian must shrink from openly espousing the unpopular cause of the Crucified, or from publicly declaring their sympathy with its hated martyrs.
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But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel.—More accurately rendered, but rather suffer afflictions for the gospel. But, on the contrary, instead of injuring the good cause by faint-hearted conduct, should Timothy rather be ready to suffer, if need be, with St. Paul, ready to bear some shame with him, ready to incur, perhaps, sore danger for the gospel’s sake; and then St. Paul, emphasising his words, and strengthening with a new strength his argument and his exhortation, adds, “in accordance with the power of God”—yes, join with me in suffering, if needs be, for the gospel. Mighty and pitiful was God’s power towards us: great, surely, in proportion should be our readiness to suffer in return, if He asks this—as He is now doing from you and me—at our hands.
According to the power of God.—What power of God? has been asked. Not according to the power we get from God, but according to the power which God has displayed towards us in our calling and in our marvellous salvation. In other words, God, with great power, has succoured us; surely we may be confident that He will never leave us, never desert us, but in the hour of our sorest trouble incurred for Him will help us, and will bring us safely through it. So Chrysostom, who, while asserting that suffering will be borne, but not in our strength but in God’s, says, “Consider how thou hast been saved, and how thou hast been called;” inferring that He who has done so great things for man, in his calling and in his salvation, will never let him want for strength.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Be not ashamed therefore for be not thou therefore…
Be not ashamed therefore for be not thou therefore ashamed, A.V; suffer hardship with the gospel for be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, A.V Be not ashamed, etc. The exhortation based upon the previous statement. The spirit of power and love must show itself in a brave, unflinching acceptance of all the hardships and afflictions incident to a faithful execution of his episcopal office. (comp. Rom_1:16) Suffer hardship with the gospel. This, of course, is a possible rendering, but an unnatural one, and not at all in harmony with the context. The force of sun in sugkakopaqhson (only found here in the New Testament and in the R.T. of (2Ti_2:3) is manifestly to associate Timothy with St. Paul in the afflictions of the gospel. "Be a fellow partaker with me of the afflictions," which is in obvious contrast with being ashamed of the testimony of the Lord and of the apostle his prisoner. The gospel (tw eujaggeliw); i.e. for the gospel, asstei), Php_1:27, "striving for the faith of the gospel" (th pi) and as Chrysostom explains it: Upeou (Huther). According to the power of God; either "according to that spirit of power which God gave you at your ordination," or "according to the mighty power of God manifested in our salvation and in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ." The latter seems to be what St. Paul had in his mind. Timothy ought to feel that this power was on his side.
Vers. 8-18.
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Constancy in the hour of danger.
There are great differences of natural temperament in different men. There are those whose courage is naturally high. Their instinct is to brave danger, and to be confident of overcoming it. They do not know what nervousness, or sinking of heart, or the devices of timidity, mean. Others are of a wholly different temperament. The approach of danger unnerves them. Their instinct is to avoid, not to overcome, danger; to shrink from suffering, not to confront it. There are ever in the Church the bold and dauntless Gideons, and the wavering and timid Peters. But the grace of God is able to strengthen the weak hands and to confirm the feeble knees. He can say to them that are of fearful heart, "Be strong; fear not." lie can give power to the faint, and increase strength to them that have no might. And there is perhaps no more edifying sight than that of the quiet unboasting courage of those whose natural timidity has been overcome by an overpowering sense of duty and of love to Christ, and who have learnt, in the exercises of prayer and meditation on the cross of Christ, to endure hardness without flinching, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. But to yield to fear, and, under its influence, to be ashamed to confess the Name of Jesus Christ, and to repudiate fellowship with those who are suffering for Christ"s sake and the gospel"s, lest we should fall into the same reproach with them, is sin, and sin most unworthy of those for whom Christ died, and who have been made partakers of so great salvation. No plea of natural timidity can excuse such unworthy conduct. It behoves, therefore, men of a timid and gentle spirit to fortify their faith by frequent contemplation of the cross of Christ, and habitually to take up that cross, and by it crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts. Let them think often of their holy calling, remember that they are the servants of him who "endured the cross, despising the shame," and look forward to the recompense of reward. Let them contrast the base, unmanly conduct of the men of Asia, who turned away from the noble Paul in his hour of danger, with the faithful, generous conduct of Onesiphorus, who sought him out in his prison and was not ashamed of his chain. And surely they will come to the conclusion that affliction with the people of God is better than immunity from suffering purchased by shame and sin.
Warning to Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel, nor to shrink from afflictions.
This exhortation is dependent upon the previous counsel.
I THE MINISTER OF GOD MUST NOT BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL. "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me his prisoner.
1. The testimony of the Lord is that borne concerning his doctrine,sufferings, and death; in a word, the gospel itself.
2. No Christian can be ashamed of a gospel of such power, so true, so gracious, so useful.
3. No Christian can be ashamed of its confessors. The apostle was a prisoner at Rome for its sake, not for crime of any sort. The gospel then laboured under an immense load of pagan prejudice, and Timothy needed to be reminded of his obligations to sympathize with its greatest expounder.
II THE MINISTER OF GOD MUST SHARE IN THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE GOSPEL. "But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.
1. Though it is a gospel of peace, it brings a sword wherever it goes, and involves its preachers in tribulations arising out of the perverseness of men who thwart and despise it.
2. We ought to suffer hardship for the gospel, by the consideration that the God who has saved us with such a strong hand is able to succour us under all our afflictions. T.C.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of…
2Ti_1:8
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner.
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Not ashamed of Christianity
It was natural and right that an old warrior whose armour was worn with use should charge the young soldier to bear himself bravely in the war. Cowardice is bad always, whether in the physical heroisms of the battle-field, or the moral heroisms of common duty. We are cautioned against being ashamed! And shame is the child of doubt as well as the child of fear!
I. We should not be ashamed of a testimony for Christ, because Christianity gives the true reading of our moral nature. What are we? Apart from Christ, the world is just as much divided in its philosophical schools on this question as ever it was. The Utilitarian moralists enthrone the selfish instinct, and make the foundation of morals mere utility, or the greatest happiness principle; they test the morality of actions by their consequences, as if it were possible to trace them through all their sequences to their ultimate results, as if a man could thus judge, unless all the future ages were before him. But in setting up this standard, with one sharp and almost contemptuous sweep, they cut away the entire moral nature of man. Conscience has no place in their creed. My own belief, says Mr. Mill, is that the moral feelings are not innate, but acquired. Surely a fearful reading of human nature! Let us make man in our image becomes only a morbid dream of some early dramatist of creation! How this theory of human nature would, if adopted, ultimately affect society may perhaps best be understood by another sentence of Stuart Mill--The proper limit to self-indulgence is that one shall neither hurt himself nor hurt others. Imagine this, a man is not to consult conscience, or the sense of right and wrong, he is neither to be cheered by conscience nor to be scourged by remorse, but is suffered to take his stand amongst his fellow-beings, as a mere conscience-less, calculating machine, weighing not the moral wrong, but the outward harmfulness of self-indulgence. If I turn from the school of Buckle and Mill to the modern scientific school, if captivated by the discoveries of modern science, I sit as a disciple at the feet of Huxley or Darwin, my power to realise any lofty conception even of this present life is gone! I feel like a man who has saved his purse and lost his gold, or who has kept safely the golden frame but lost the portrait it contained. Let us look at their position! We are declared to be the last and noblest form of a long series of developments; we trace these back to the elementary types of life. It may constitute a theory of physical nature, it cannot constitute a theory of human nature. It has no explanation whatever of the past of our race. Yes, the gospel makes us feel the grandeur of life as life; its rewards here are moral, its punishments the same. Instead of bidding us to think alone on consequences, it reminds us that God searcheth the heart. Its garland of victory is the well done of conscience, its scourge of woe is the agony of remorse.
II. We should not be ashamed of Christianity, because it gives the true reading of mans religious nature. Man must worship. We all admit that. History proves it. A nation without its altars is as undiscoverable as a firmament without its stars! But what says Paul to Timothy?--This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy. Yes! Yes! this was the message! Christ the Saviour of men! This it is that comes home to the heart and conscience of humanity everywhere. This is the great message we preach in the face of all modern endeavours to give the gospel only a place in the religions of the world. Yes! how that meets the soul-needs of man! Conscience is at rest beneath that cross where Christ the Lamb of God taketh away the sins of the world. Pardon, virtue, self-denial, sacrifice, peace, hope, joy, love, these are the growths of the Christian life--these blossom on no other tree but the Tree of Life.
III. We should not de ashamed of Christianity, because it gives the true reading of mans human life. Whatever the old theologies may have said, human life is divine. I mean by that, that the world into which we are born finds place and play for all our varied human faculties. It is manifest that mans nature is a mistake, and the world a mistake, if a man is to move on in a region of Asceticism, or a transcendental region of Mysticism. Take this life! I say this is a beautiful world to live in. It is a world of colour! It is a world of sound! It is a world of mystery! It is a world of enterprise! It is a world of motion! It is a world of taste! It is a world, in fact, full of manifestations of adaptation to the being to be placed upon it by God. Now, if it were worldliness to touch all these things, then we are tempted to worldliness every hour, every moment, and the world is a cruel enchantress, that meets us at every step. Surely you know well that this is not worldliness, that Christ did not teach us it was worldliness. Mans nature too would be a mistake. He has not only eyes to lift to heaven and knees to bend to earth, he has hands to toil with, a home to care for, a country to serve, and a whole round of earthly duties to discharge. Still it is a charge brought against Christianity that it is indifferent to human culture and affection. Now, I do admit this, that a mans personal relation to God is the first question which the gospel of Christ deals with: he is to be brought nigh by the blood of Christ, to be a temple of the Holy Ghost, to rejoice in a spiritual sonship. But it is also true that all other duties and relationships are lifted into higher spheres, and ruled by higher motives. Christianity is not responsible for the perversion of ascetics, nor is it responsible for the abuse of worldlings. The Christians of Apostolic times must keep themselves unspotted from the world, not by avoiding the very possibility of its stains, but by a life in God which preserves them from the power of evil. And so must we: the difficulties of the case are the difficulties of moral life. Christianity consecrates the life of the family, the life of the city, the life of the state.
IV. We should not be ashamed of a testimony for Christ, for Christianity gives a true reading of life, in Christ Himself. Christ is not only a Teacher; Christ is not only a Saviour; though He is both these. Christ is Christian life! He is His own religion alive and in action! When we study Christianity, we not only study the Evangels and the Epistles; we study Christ, Christs life is the ideal of all Christian life! As such I ask you to mark its practical side; its human side; its relation to all the interests, physical, social, and divine of the world Christ came to ransom and to save. Christs hours of prayer occupied much of His earthly life, but He was not one-sided in His life. How active He was--He went about doing good. How reasonable He was--He reasoned with the Jews out of their Scriptures. How home-loving He was--He abode at the house of Martha, and her sister Mary. How lifes cheerful pleasures found Him a sharer in them--His first miracle was wrought at the marriage feast of Cana in Galilee. How social He was--He dined at the house of the Pharisee. How actively compassionate He was--He healed all their sick. How wonderfully He carried the golden thread of the heavenly through the warp and woof of the earthly life. Oh! it is something beautiful indeed to possess that life. In all your experiences of emotion, awe, reverence, tenderness, it is not enough to feel the thrill of mere sensation. As Christ was consecrated to His Father, so must we be to Him!
V. We should not be ashamed of the testimony of Christ, for Christianity neglected wrongs our nature. All truth neglected wrongs our nature! I mean scientific truth, as well as religious truth. If I believe the world goes round, and if to propitiate priests, or to provide for some supposed protection of the Churchs creed, I say the world does not go round, I wrong my mind. If I reject religious truth, I wrong my mind in the worst sense; I wrong my conscience and my heart. That man is to be pitied who bears about with him the murdered body of truth! There are such men, they know the gospel, they need no further commendations of it to the conscience and the heart. I say Divine demonstration has been made to the faculty of judgment, and to the faculty of feeling. And yet as the apostle says, They know not the truth. They perpetuate that hideous immorality of bartering their souls for ease, pleasure, and sin! Verily he that knew his Lords will and did it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.
VI. We should not be ashamed of a testimony for Christ, because Christianity in all these scenes stands alone. Its position is unique! This one thing we know, that a Saviour such as I have been speaking of, is none other but Christ. If there is, and we are to be confronted with some new Saviour, it is time that the criticisms of the day gave us a new Christ. We exhaust other subjects, but we never exhaust Christi With admiring and adoring homage we take our stand behind the Cross, and say to a world that wants a Saviour--Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. Produce your cause, says the Most High to all who would now declare His Anointed One! Beside Me, there is no Saviour! (W. M. Statham, M. A.)
Power of personal testimony
Mr. Blackwood was the means of my conversion twenty-four years ago. And what was it that laid hold of me? I was then as worldly a young man as any in London, but I went to hear him speak at Streatham, having given a promise to do so to the young lady who was afterwards my wife, and is now in heaven. The sermon did not produce much impression upon me, but afterwards Mr. Blackwood walked up to me, and put his hand on my shoulder, and in his own loving way said: Dear friend, I do not think that I have seen you at this meeting before. Are you a Christian? I know Christ; I have proved Him; do you know Him? I had to say, No, I do not. What the sermon did not do that testimony did, and I had no peace until I found the Saviour two days afterwards. Twenty-four years have passed since then; eighteen of them I have spent amongst the poor of the East of London, and I am more persuaded than ever that what the Church of Jesus Christ needs is not mere oratory, mere eloquence, mere wealth, but men who not only bear Christs name, but come right out for Him, so that no one in their senses can doubt their being children of God. (A. G. Brown.)
Cowardice rebuked
Thirty years ago, more or less, there was a boy in Scotland who would go to sea. His name was James, and his father was a respected citizen of a good town six miles from the sea. On Jamess first voyage to Calcutta he kept up the habit of praying in the forecastle before turning in to his hammock, for he had been accustomed to do so regularly at home. Nobody said anything to him on the matter, but Bob Shearer, an able seamen, watched him. In Calcutta some of the seamen left the ship, and others were engaged in their place to work the ship home. One of these was a rough, whose name was Robert. Hence he was called English Bob, and Shearer was called Scotch Bob. One night, soon after the homeward voyage began, James was on his knees, when the eye of English Bob happened to fall on him. I declare, he cried, with an oath, heres a younker praying. Did you ever? And thereupon he flung a heavy shoe at his head with excellent aim. Before James had time to rise Scotch Bob had the coward by the throat and told him to come upstairs and settle with him at once. The result was that English Bob got soundly and wholesomely thrashed. That night James went into his hammock without praying. But he had not time to fall asleep before Scotch Bob came and pitched him out. What do you mean, you young coward? Say your prayers like a man! Do you think Im going to fight for you and be disgraced in this way? And so James never again failed to kneel before he slept, and feels to this day that his being ashamed of his Father in heaven and of the Saviour who died for him was well rebuked by the friendly courage of Bob Shearer. Long after, when his name had a title before it, and he was at the head of his profession, James had pleasure in finding Bob Sbearers mother, and bringing her to visit the mother who had taught him to pray. This story is related by James himself.
True friendship
Let me ask you a question. What would you take for the greatest proof of downright friendship a man could show you? That is too hard a question to answer all at once. Well, I may be wrong, but the deepest outcome of friendship seems to me, on the part of the superior at least, the permission, or better still, the call, to share in his sufferings. (Geo. Macdonald.)
Definition of a friend
What is a friend but one whom I can trust; one who, in sorrows hour, will mingle his tears with mine; one on whose support I can reckon when my back is at the wall! (T. Guthrie, D. D.)
According to the power of God.
What power of God? has been asked. Not according to the power we get from God, but according to the power which God has displayed towards us in our calling and in our marvellous salvation. In other words, God with great power has succoured us; surely we may be confident that He will never leave us, never desert us; but in the hours of our sorest trouble incurred for Him will keep us and will bring us safely through it. (H. D. M. Spence, M. A.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 8–12. Be not … ashamed. Since “the spirit of…
8–12. Be not … ashamed. Since “the spirit of fear” was not imparted, there must be boldness to testify for the Lord. Of me, his prisoner. Though a prisoner, he was a prisoner for righteousness' sake. It may be that this was a gentle rebuke; that Timothy had failed in boldness. Be thou partaker. Ready to share with me whatever may befall. According to the power of God. Suffer afflictions, bearing them, sustained by the power of God.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain 2Ti_1:8. Of me His prisoner.—This might mean—(a) the prisoner…
CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
2Ti_1:8. Of me His prisoner.—This might mean—(a) the prisoner belonging to Him; or (b) one who is a prisoner for His sake; or again (c) one whom He has bound: (b) seems best. Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel.—R.V. “suffer hardship with the gospel.” Alford, Huther, and Ellicott prefer “but suffer [with me] for the gospel.” According to the power of God.—“In accordance with the power of God which is effectual in thee,” or “which will not fail thee.”
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2Ti_1:9. Not according to our works, but … His own purpose.—“Purpose” here must not be interpreted quite as “foreordination.”
2Ti_1:10. By the appearing.—Lit. “by the epiphany.” This is the only use of the word to describe the advent of Christ in the flesh. It not only covers the act and moment of arrival, but indicates the resultant presence. In 2 Maccabees the word is used frequently of God’s miraculous interposition on behalf of His people. Who hath abolished.—In the Septuagint this word means “to make to cease.” In St. Paul’s writings it always denotes a complete ceasing, an annihilation. Compare also Heb_2:14 : “In order that He might destroy [R.V. bring to nought] … the devil.”
2Ti_1:11. A preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.—The first with reference to the work and the method of doing it; the second with reference to his commission and the authority behind him; the third with reference to the recipients of the message, who need continual instruction in it.
2Ti_1:12. For I know whom I have believed.—A.V. margin, “trusted.” Note the distinction between knowledge and trust. Faith with Paul has to do with salvation as a present thing. That which I have committed unto Him.—The Greek is capable of two meanings, as the R.V. margin shows. “My deposit” may be that which I entrust to another, or that which another commits to my care. See 2Ti_1:14.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—2Ti_1:8-12
The Hardships of the Ministerial life—
I. Are to be fearlessly endured.—
1. In company with the bravest of God’s servants. “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel” (2Ti_1:8). These words come with weight from the lips of a brave old warrior like Paul, and could not but inspirit the timid evangelist as they have inspired the courage of many sufferers for the truth since that day. Shame is the result of fear; but the love of Christ and His truth conquers fear and gives us boldness in witnessing and in suffering for Him. Some of the noblest men and women who have ever lived have endured inexpressible tortures for the gospel’s sake. We may never be called to suffer as they did; but whatever may be our afflictions in the gospel, their heroism and fortitude will ever be an example to animate and sustain us.
2. Being assured of Divine help. “According to the power of God” (2Ti_1:8). The early martyrs were strengthened in the midst of their sufferings not only by the truth in which they believed and which became so precious to them, but by the power of God directly imparted to their souls. He who originated the gospel and who has saved us will never fail to help us in whatever sufferings we may be involved for the sake of the gospel. “Think not,” writes Chrysostom, “that thou hast to bear these afflictions by thine own power; nay, it is by the power of God. It was a greater exercise of power than His making the heaven, His persuading the world to embrace salvation.” The help of God fills the soul with fearlessness, and enables us even to rejoice in tribulation.
II. Are trifling compared with the substantial character of the gospel.—
1. This gospel provides a plan of salvation Divinely prearranged (2Ti_1:9). The purpose to save was in the Divine mind before the world began, and was elaborated independent of any works of our own. Though we are sinners, God calls us with a holy calling; the call comes wholly from God and claims us wholly for God. The blessings offered to us in the gospel abundantly recompense us for whatever affliction we are called to endure.
2. This gospel reveals an immortality of blessedness by the manifestation of Christ (2Ti_1:10). The epiphany of Christ has wonderfully changed the outlook for humanity. Death, the dread and bondage of universal men, is abolished by the gospel, and the endless glories of another world are unveiled. In the Zend-Avesta we are told there is a tree, the king of trees, which is called the Death-Destroyer. It grows by the fountain of Ardecision—that is, by the water of life—and its sap confers immortality. It is but a tradition taken from the Bible. To come to Christ, to feed on Him by faith, as He is made known to us in the gospel, is to gain an immortality of bliss.
3. The proclamation of this gospel is an honourable and important commission (2Ti_1:11). The apostle regarded it as the highest distinction of his life that he was appointed a preacher and apostle of the gospel and a teacher of this glad evangel to the Gentiles, who had till his day been shut off from the religious privileges that had been exclusively claimed by the Jews. The first Jewish Christian believers were slow to admit that the heathen had an equal right with themselves to all the blessings of the new covenant. The Jewish prejudices of Paul were destroyed by his miraculous conversion, and it was revealed to him that his great life-mission was to proclaim to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, in which they had an equal share with all nations. The Christian missionary is honoured with a world-wide commission.
III. Are counterbalanced by the assurance of personal safety in the future (2Ti_1:12).—God had committed to Paul the gospel as a sacred deposit for the salvation of others; and he has committed himself—his body, soul, and spirit—as a holy deposit to the Divine care, to be kept to the day of eternal redemption, The same gospel which he declares to others is the only ground for the preacher’s own salvation. The celebrated Philippe de Mornay, prime minister of Henry IV. of France, one of the greatest statesmen and the most exemplary Christians of his age, being asked a little before his death if he still retained the same assured hope of future bliss which he had enjoyed during his illness, replied, “I am as confident of it from the incontestable evidence of the Spirit of God, as I ever was of any mathematical truth from all the demonstrations of Euclid.”
Lessons.—
1. Fidelity in ministerial work involves labour and suffering.
2. Whatever hardships the preaching of the gospel imposes should be cheerfully borne.
3. The more we suffer for the truth the greater will be our reward.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
2Ti_1:8. The Folly of Moral Cowardice.
I. Indolent indecision is an instrument of Satan for preserving the spirits of men in captivity to his will.
II. Shame—the fear of man’s opinion—is another.
III. Are you ashamed of believing certain established truths such as the gospel comprises?
IV. Is it of the prudence of your course you are ashamed?
V. Is it of your superiority to common temptations, of hopes that place you above the pleasures of this world, and a serenity unaffected by its troubles?
VI. Are you indeed ashamed of communion with God?—A. Butler.
2Ti_1:10. Death defeated.
I. Let us inquire why, since Christ has abolished death, it is appointed to all men to die.—
1. This is from no want of power.
2. From no want of merit in the work of human redemption.
3. But it is in order that the truth of God might be vindicated.
4. In order that it may remain as an example of the evil of sin.
5. In order that it may remain as a way of destroying sin.
6. In order to hint at the immortality beyond the grave.
7. In order to teach men the lesson of faith in God.
8. In order to enhance the glory of the ultimate conquest of the Redeemer.
II. Let us inquire in what sense Christ hath abolished death.—
1. It is not a mark of God’s vindictive displeasure.
2. The empire of death is not perpetual.—Homiletic Quarterly.
The Christian in Heaven.
I. The Scripture aids us in conceiving of the heavenly world.—
1. It enables us to conceive of it negatively.
2. Figuratively.
3. Comparatively.
4. Positively.
II. The principal constituents of the heavenly state.—
1. You may reckon upon pre-eminent knowledge.
2. Perfect purity.
3. Delightful associations.
4. On the presence and sight of the Saviour.
5. The most exquisite enjoyment.
6. The perpetuity of all this.
III. The Christian in his final destiny.—
1. He is in heaven as a monument of Divine grace.
2. See the conduct of God towards him in this world explained and vindicated.
3. See the justification of his choice.
4. Inquire whether you will be a partaker of the same blessedness.—W. Jay.
Immortality.
I. Christ hath revealed the fact.
II. The gospel hath shed all the light we have on the nature of the life beyond, the mode or manner of immortality.
III. The gospel has not only brought immortality to light, but has revealed the means of reaching it.—J. Hamilton.
2Ti_1:12. Faith out of Danger—
I. Because of what we know of the character of the Saviour.
II. Because we know His ability
III. Because of our persuasion of His fidelity.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain An Admonition to Steadfastness.
An Admonition to Steadfastness.
v. 8. Be not thou, therefore, ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, His prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God,
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v. 9. who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
v. 10. but now is made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel;
v. 11. whereunto I am appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles.
v. 12. For the which cause I also suffer these things. Nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.
v. 13. Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
v. 14. that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost, which dwelleth in us.
The knowledge of God’s love in Christ Jesus and the gift of God’s grace are the fundamental factors in the work of Timothy; they obligated him to show all staunchness in confessing Christ, in defending the faith. This thought St. Paul brings out with fine tact: Do not, then, be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord nor of me, His prisoner, but join me in suffering for the Gospel according to the power of God. Timothy should not dread nor fear the dishonor and disgrace which his confessing of Christ was sure to bring upon him; he should not flee from the lot which is inevitable to the followers of Christ. See Rom 1:16; Mar 8:38; Heb 11:26. The apostle calls the entire preaching of the New Testament the testimony of Christ, because Christ is the content of the entire doctrine of salvation; His person and work should be proclaimed from every pulpit that bears the name Christian; the message of the Gospel is that of eternal life, because it testifies of Christ, Joh 5:39; 1Co 1:6. Just because every person that openly professed his allegiance to the so-called sect of the Christians had to expect persecution and dishonor to strike him, therefore Timothy was not to be ashamed of his confession. But this attitude included yet another point. Timothy might be inclined to withdraw from Paul in the latter’s present unfortunate situation. The apostle, however, was not languishing in prison on account of any crime committed by him. He was a prisoner of the Lord; for the sake of Jesus whom he had so freely and gladly confessed before men he had been imprisoned. His fetters thus were his badge of honor, and Timothy was to acknowledge them as such. Instead of being ashamed of Jesus and of Paul, His apostle, now bound for His sake, Timothy should rather join him in suffering for the Gospel. Should the same fate strike him which had come upon his beloved teacher, Timothy should not hesitate for a moment in showing his willingness to bear the yoke of his Lord. So much he could do, not, indeed, by his own reason and strength, but in accordance with, in the measure of, the power of God in him. Christ, the Lord of His Church, always imparts that amount of strength which is necessary for bearing sufferings for His sake.
If there is any thought which, above all others, ought to make us willing to suffer persecutions for the sake of our Lord, it is that of our redemption in Christ: Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the time of this world. The apostle uses the strongest argument at his disposal for impressing upon Timothy and every Christian the necessity of remaining steadfast in the confession of Christ unto the end. It is God that saved us, that is our Savior; the salvation is complete, ready before the eyes and hearts of all men. And so far as its application to the believers is concerned, the apostle says that God has called us, He has extended to us the invitation to accept the reconciliation made for all men. This invitation was a holy call, for it was issued by the holy God, applied by the Holy Ghost, and has for its purpose a life of consecration. In no manner does the merit of man come into consideration in this call, for it was not extended to us because of our works. God did not look upon any man with the intention of finding something in his character or attitude which would make him more willing to accept the proffered grace. At the same time, however, He did not issue an absolute call, simply on the basis of the majesty of His divine will. He called men rather according to His own purpose and grace. It was God’s own free counsel and intention, a counsel of grace, of His free love and favor, whose revelation took place in Christ Jesus. Before the foundations of the world were laid, before God had created a single human being, His gracious counsel of love was formulated, which resulted in our call, by virtue of which we should be His own and live with Him world without end. In Christ Jesus His grace was given us, for His redemption earned it for us.
The grace of God in Christ Jesus was thus present and ready from eternity. Then, in the fullness of time, God made known His grace to mankind: But now manifested through the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, when He rendered death ineffectual, but brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. The grace which was planned and prepared in Christ Jesus was made manifest, not by a mere teaching or preaching, but by a bodily manifestation which could be conceived of by the senses, Joh 1:14. Through the entire life, suffering, and death of Christ the grace of God has been made manifest. In this way God’s grace was brought to the attention of men in bodily, visible form, in the shape of the Redeemer, who was their brother according to the flesh. His manifestation culminated in His rendering death helpless, in taking away the power from temporal death, thus making it a mere figurehead, 1Co 15:55-57, Since death, in its true essence, signifies a separation from God and from the life in God, therefore it has lost its terrors for the believers. Death can no longer conquer us, who are in Christ Jesus. Instead of that, life and immortality are our lot through the work of our Savior. We have reentered the fellowship of life with God; the true life in and with God lies before us in immeasurable fullness. The original blessed condition of Paradise has now again been made possible; the life in and with God shows itself in immortality, in incorruption. Salvation with all the glories of heaven is ours; it is no longer hidden from our eyes, but is set before us in the brightest, clearest light through the Gospel; for this is the message of the completed redemption, of the revelation of life without end. Such is the blessed glory of the Gospel, as the apostle has briefly summarized it here for Timothy as well as for the Christians of all times.
In bringing out his connection with the Gospel, the apostle now incidentally gives a reason why Timothy should not be ashamed of him: To which I have been appointed herald and apostle and teacher. Every word used by the apostle brings out a certain phase of his work. He is a herald, a proclaimer of the great and wonderful works of God. Not only the foundation of a proper Christian understanding should be laid by his preaching, but the Christians should also grow in knowledge of their Lord Jesus Christ by the same method. He is an apostle; he belongs to the number of men who for all times were to be the teachers of the New Testament Church. And finally, Paul was a teacher, as all true ministers should be, his special field being that of the Gentiles. He did not operate with the excellencies of man’s wisdom, but taught the mystery of the kingdom of God, both publicly and privately. How could Timothy, under the circumstances, feel ashamed of his teacher?
But the sufferings of Paul also should not provoke this feeling of shame in him: For which reason also I suffer these things, but am not ashamed. In the ministry, in the office which God entrusted to him, with every mark of distinction, the enmity of the world had struck him; he had been subjected to misery, persecution, imprisonment. Since, however, these sufferings are to be expected in the regular discharge of the holy office, he does not in any way look upon them as a disgrace. To suffer for the sake of Christ is not a dishonor, but an honor. For this reason the apostle is able to write in the joyful confidence of faith: For I know in whom my faith rests, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have entrusted to Him until that day. Every word here is an expression of firm trust in God. He does not rely upon his feelings, upon his own ideas and notions; his knowledge is based upon the Word and cannot therefore be shaken. He has gained a conviction which is more certain than all asseverations of mere men: he has the promise of God in His infallible Word. For the apostle has entrusted the salvation of his soul to the heavenly Father, and his faith has the conviction based upon His Word that the precious treasure is safe in His hands, Joh 10:28. For God is able, fully competent, to guard this inestimable blessing. We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, 1Pe 1:5.
The admonition, then, follows as a matter of course: The example of wholesome words hold fast which thou hast heard from me, in faith as well as in love which is in Christ Jesus. The personal example of Paul was an important factor in his work; what he had done and said should be a type for Timothy to follow. It seems that he has reference to some summary or outline of the Gospel-truth which he had transmitted to his pupil, a teaching of wholesome words, entirely free from the morbid outgrowths which the errorists showed. This summary of doctrine Timothy was to use in faith and love in Christ Jesus. Having the conviction of faith that the Gospel as taught by Paul was the truth, he would not suffer himself to become apostate to that truth. Having true, cordial love toward Christ in his heart, he would know that every defection from the truth committed to his charge would deeply grieve his Savior. A simple adherence to the words of Scripture is the safest way to avoid most of the difficulties with which sectarians are always grappling; for it is only when a person goes beyond the words of divine revelation that he meets with contradictions or apparently incompatible statements.
In connection with this thought the apostle once more urges his pupil; The excellent deposit guard through the Holy Spirit, that dwells in us. Having just admonished Timothy to adhere to the form of sound doctrine for his own person, Paul now drives home the other truth, namely, that this precious deposit of the pure truth must be guarded against all contamination. In his own power, by his own reason and strength, it is true that no pastor is able to defend and guard the doctrine of Christ against the various attacks that are made against it, against the suspicions that are being spread concerning it. If a man studies the Bible just as he does any other book, if he believes that the application of mere worldly wisdom will suffice for its defense, he will soon find out just how badly in error he was with his ideas. The precious blessing of evangelical truth can be kept safe only through the Holy Ghost. Even in Baptism this Spirit has made His abode in us, and He will continue to use our hearts as His shrine as long as we continue in the words of our Savior. What comfort for the simple, faithful minister of the Word!
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 of the testimony
of the testimony
"of testifying" or "of telling others"
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his prisoner
"a prisoner for his sake" or "a prisoner because I testify about the Lord"
share in suffering for the gospel
Paul speaks of suffering as if it were an object that could be shared or distributed among people. AT: "suffer with me for the gospel" (See: Metaphor)
gospel according to the power of God
"gospel, allowing God to make you strong"
with a holy calling
"with a calling that set us apart as his people" or "to be his holy people"
He did this
"He saved and called us"
not according to our works
"not because we did anything to deserve it"
but according to his own plan and grace
"but because he planned to show us kindness"
in Christ Jesus
"through our relationship to Christ Jesus"
before times ever began
"before the world began" or "before time began"
God's salvation has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus
Paul speaks of salvation as if it were an object that could uncovered and shown to people. This can be stated in active form. AT: "God has shown how he will save us by sending our Savior Christ Jesus" (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)
who put an end to death
Paul speaks of death as if it were an independent process instead of the event of people dying. AT: "who destroyed death" or "who made it possible for people not to remain dead forever" (See: Metaphor)
brought life that never ends to light through the gospel
Paul speaks of teaching about eternal life as if it were an object that could be brought from darkness into light so that people could see it. AT: "taught what life that never ends is by preaching the gospel" (See: Metaphor)
I was appointed a preacher
This can be stated in active form. AT: "God chose me to be a preacher" (See: Active or Passive)
translationWords
shame
testimony
prison
suffer
good news
save
call
holy
grace
in Christ
save
reveal
Savior
die
life
appoint
preach
apostle
teacher
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 1:8 This verse summarizes the letter. Timothy would probably…
1:8 This verse summarizes the letter. Timothy would probably experience suffering (2:3; 3:12; 4:5; see Heb 13:23) both in coming to Rome and in his subsequent ministry as Paul’s successor.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.