Do Not Be Ashamed – 2 Timothy 1:8-14

I’ve often wondered how I would respond to persecution.  If I was threatened with prison or execution should I continue preaching Christ, would I think, “It’s not worth it to lose my freedom or my life, because how would I serve Christ then?”, or would I think, “Paul didn’t shrink from persecution, and who was more important to the cause than him?”

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern 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.  (2 Timothy 1:8-14 ESV)

Paul continues to challenge Timothy, in light of Paul’s own arrest and impending death, to be bold to testify to the Lord and be faithful in guarding the gospel treasure.  He gives two reasons for this.

Paul tells Timothy to not be ashamed of the gospel or Paul’s suffering for it, but to share in the suffering that comes with the gospel.  He urges him to follow his pattern of teaching and faith and love as from Christ and to depend on the Holy Spirit to enable him to guard the message God entrusted him with.

Timothy should do this because of the way God saved us, not by demanding we do works to merit a relationship with Him, but out of sheer grace through the death and resurrection of Christ.  He should suffer for the gospel because, as Paul has proven in his own life, God is trustworthy to guard the message of the gospel and thus those who suffer for it.