2 Timothy 1:12 - Homilies By T. Croskery

The grounds of his joyful confidence under all his sufferings

I. HIS APOSTLESHIP WAS THE CAUSE OF HIS SUFFERINGS . "For which cause I also am suffering these things"—imprisonment, solitude, the hatred of Jew and Gentile. He estranged the Jews by preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, and he offended the Gentiles by denouncing their idolatries and undermining their lucrative superstitions.

II. HE OWNS NO SHAME IN THE GOSPEL . It may be an offence to the Greek and a stumbling block to the Jew; but he is not ashamed of it, because he is not ashamed:

1 . Of its Author .

2 . Of its truths and ordinances .

3 . Of his own faith in it .

4 . Of his sufferings for it .

III. THE REASON WHY HE IS NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL . "For I know whom. I have trusted, and am persuaded that he is able to keep my deposit till that day."

1 . He knows his Redeemer through faith and love and experience. It is "eternal life" to know him ( John 17:3 ). It is not that he merely knows of him, but he knows him—what he is, what he can do, what he has promised to do—and therefore he can trust him.

2 . His trust is in a known Person.

3 . The apostle has placed his soul, as a precious deposit, in the hands of Christ, with the assurance of its perfect safety. "I am persuaded that he is able to keep my deposit till that day." Several circumstances enhance the significance of this act of the apostle.

4 . Mark the assurance of the apostle as to the safety of his deposit. "I am persuaded that he is able to keep my deposit." This shows