2 Timothy 1:8-14

He Calls On Timothy Not To Be Ashamed Of Either His Christian Testimony Or Of Paul, Because Suffering Is An Important Part Of God’s Saving Purposes Which Have Been Revealed in The Appearance of Our Saviour Christ Jesus To Bring Those Saving Purposes About. He Is Rather To Guard The Gospel With The Spirit’s Help (2 Timothy 1:8-14 ).

Some of those who were proud to be associated with Paul in his successful ministry had found that it was a different matter when it came to him being imprisoned by Rome. One of these was Demas (2 Timothy 4:10). We can almost see him telling Paul that unfortunately he had to pop over to Thessalonica to help the saints there. It was rather urgent. But Paul was not deceived. However he is confident that Timothy will not follow that example, and that he will, if need be, rather be willing to suffer hardship for the Gospel, (he too will later be a prisoner - Hebrews 13:23), which he then describes in all its wonder. The echo of Paul’s assurance runs through the whole passage, and he seeks to pass it in to Timothy.

Analysis.

a Do not be ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God (2 Timothy 1:8).

b Who 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 times of the ages (2 Timothy 1:9).

c But has now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10).

d To which I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher (2 Timothy 1:11).

c For which cause I suffer also 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 1:12).

b Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:13).

a That good thing which was committed to you guard through the Holy Spirit which dwells in us (2 Timothy 3:14).

Note that in ‘a’ Timothy is to glory in the testimony of our Lord, and suffer hardship with the Gospel in the power of God, and in the parallel he is to guard what has been committed to him through the indwelling Holy Spirit. In ‘b’ we (Christians) are saved and called with a holy calling in accordance with His purpose and grace, and in the parallel are to hold the pattern of sound words in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. In ‘c’ the holy calling has been manifested by the appearing of Christ Jesus our Saviour who has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, and in the parallel Paul suffers for that cause and looks forward to that Day. Centrally in ‘d’ is the fact that he has been appointed by God to be a preacher, Apostle and Teacher.