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How would you feel about following in the footsteps of one who was imprisoned for what he believed? A little intimidated, perhaps? Maybe a little hesitant, especially when the one in prison says, “Join me”? Let’s see how Paul encourages Timothy to have courage to follow the call of God upon his life. We’ll be using some notes from the Bible Knowledge Commentary to help us in this pursuit.
Not Ashamed of Paul or Testifying of Jesus
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” – 2 Timothy 1:8
If Timothy’s ministry were marked by power, love, and self-discipline, he would be able to stand tall against his opponents, and would not be ashamed to testify about our Lord (cf. 1 Cor. 1:6), or ashamed of Paul His prisoner. Though Paul was held in a Roman prison (cf. 2 Tim. 1:16; 2:9), yet he called himself Christ’s prisoner — that is, a prisoner for Christ’s sake and purpose (cf. Eph. 3:1; Phil. 1:12-14; Phile. 1, 9). With this reminder of his own condition, which was far graver than Timothy’s, Paul exhorted Timothy to join courageously with him in suffering for the gospel (cf. 2 Tim. 2:3), for it is just such circumstances that manifest the power of God (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9-10).
Courage Derived from the Power of the Gospel
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” – 2 Timothy 1:9-10
Having mentioned the gospel, Paul spelled out some of its most important details. God saved us and called us to a holy life. This is an accomplished fact, not something yet to come. Timothy could therefore count on God’s power in his daily ministry. Moreover, this salvation had nothing to do with a believer’s merits but was purely because of His own purpose(prothesin; cf. Rom. 8:28; 9:11; Eph. 1:11; 3:11) and grace (cf. 1 Tim. 1:14). This is the very core of the gospel (cf. Eph. 2:8-10).
Before the beginning of time Christians were granted this unmerited favor, but were only made aware of it through the appearing (epiphaneias; 2 Thes. 2:8; 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13) of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Here and in Titus 1:4; 2:13; and 3:6 Christ is called Savior; in 1 Timothy 1:1; 2:3; 4:10; Titus 2:10; and 3:4 God is titled Savior (cf. 2 Peter 1:1 with 3:18). Clearly both are in different senses true. Christ the Son embodied God the Father’s saving purpose and plan, by which death, the product of sin (cf. Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12; 6:23), would be destroyed(1 Cor. 15:26), and life and immortality (lit., “incorruptibility”; cf. 1 Peter 1:4) would be brought into view.
Suffering but Not Ashamed
“And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” – 2 Timothy 1:11-12
Little wonder that Paul called this gospel “glorious”(1 Tim. 1:11). It is the most important message ever. Jesus appointed Paul to serve as a herald and an apostle and a teacher of this message (cf. 1 Tim. 2:7), three roles which merely reflect different facets of the stewardship entrusted to him (1 Tim. 1:11).
Carrying out his stewardship had brought Paul much suffering, including his present imprisonment. In the eyes of the world he was a common criminal (cf. 2 Tim. 2:9). Yet he was able to say, I am not ashamed. He was trusting his own destiny to the same One who had entrusted him with the stewardship of the gospel. Thus, even though he was suffering abuse and humiliation, he was confident of God’s complete vindication in the end (cf. 1:18; 4:8). Throughout, of course, Paul was using his own example to bolster Timothy’s perhaps flagging courage.
Following and Protecting
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 1:13
From the example of his life, Paul turned to the example or pattern (hypotyposin; cf. 1 Tim. 1:16) of his teaching. Timothy was to view what he had heard from Paul as the essential outline or sketch of sound teaching (lit., “healthy doctrine”; cf. 1 Tim. 1:10) and was to keep or maintain it. Timothy was to have courage to hold the truth with faith and love in Christ Jesus. A commitment to the truth always requires faith and love, virtues which ultimately come only from being “in Christ” (1 Tim. 1:14).
Protecting what God Has Entrusted
“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”– 2 Timothy 1:14
Paul used the notion of a “trust” (paratheken; cf. 1 Tim. 5:21; 6:20) in two ways in the Pastorals. First, he had been given a trust or stewardship from God (cf. 1 Tim. 1:11); second, he had in turn entrusted himself and his destiny to God (2 Tim. 1:12). Here Paul spoke of the first of these two.
The stewardship of the truth he had received had now been passed along into the hands of Timothy, who was to pass it on yet again to other faithful Christians, who were to pass it on to still others (2:2). While it was in Timothy’s possession, however, he was to guard (phylaxon; cf. 1 Tim. 5:21; 6:20) it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. It was Timothy’s responsibility to preserve sound teaching from becoming corrupted through distortion, dilution, deletion, and addition. Heretical teaching was not only a possibility to Paul; it was a constant threat to be guarded against. Moreover, Timothy could count on the courage of the indwelling Spirit of God (cf. 1 John 3:24; 4:13) who desires to promote the truth about Christ (John 16:13).
With clear explanatory notes and extensive cross-references, the Bible Knowledge Commentary stays true to its name. Pick up your copy today from our store and keep reading!
Each year millions of Christians the world over celebrate the season of Advent, which falls this year from December 3 through Christmas Eve. Prepare your heart and mind for the true meaning of Christmas with these 22 readings, one for each day of Advent. Over the course of the season, you will read prophecies in the Old Testament that foretold God’s great gift, the Gospel accounts that documented his birth and life, and the words of the Apostles that so clearly articulated the meaning of the nativity: God with us. Readings in this plan are date-specific, any missed days can be accessed via the ”View Schedule”button.
Click here to get the Advent Season – 2023 reading plan
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The New Bible Commentary
For fifty years, New Bible Commentary has served Bible readers worldwide. This 21st Century Edition builds on the strengths of the previous three: a one-volume commentary on the whole Bible by an international team of contributors, general articles on what the Bible is and how to read it, an introduction to each Bible book, and commentaries dividing each book into sections for ease of reference.
Designed to meet the needs of today, the New Bible Commentary makes use of recent international scholarship: 80% of the articles are entirely new and the rest have been rewritten. New maps, diagrams, charts and tables illuminate the text, and further reading lists are included with each article.
The New Bible Dictionary
An A – Z of Bible terms, place names, books, people and doctrine. Written by an international team of over 150 scholars, this resource reflects recent advances in research and scholarship. Maps, family trees, line drawings, diagrams and charts clarify and expand the text. The New Bible Dictionary has stood the test of time. It has long been recognized as an essential reference work, and it has been revised and improved for the Bible students of today. This Third Edition updates key articles, time charts and all bibliographies – revisions that reflect recent developments in biblical studies.
Wait On The Lord
When the world around you seems wild, or the heart inside you feels weary, you can still count on God.
The psalmist said it like this:
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
Psalms 130:5 NIVThis is one of fifteen psalms known as the Pilgrim Songs, or the Songs of Ascent (comprising Psalms 120-134)—sung by Jewish travelers making the trek to Jerusalem for annual festivals.
If you read the rest of the chapter, you’ll notice a heaviness, a tenderness, a tone of repentance. The psalmist cries out “from the depths”—wanting to be heard, begging for mercy, longing for the redemption of His people, all the while hoping in and waiting on the Lord.
The NLT translation says, “I am counting on the Lord…”
If you’ve ever wondered who—other than you—has had to hope in, wait on, and trust in the Lord, it’s everyone. It’s all of us. Every person in biblical history, from Noah to Moses, Rahab to Ruth, Peter to Paul… down to us, living in this modern day.
Those who lived before Jesus Christ were waiting on the Messiah to come and rescue a fallen world. Those who live after Jesus, like us, are waiting on Him to come back and redeem everything that’s been lost—once and for all.
The season of Advent reminds us that regardless of who you are, where you’re from, or what you’ve done, you can cry out and wait on God.
He is trustworthy, He is faithful, and He always makes good on His promises.
As you wait upon the Lord during this Advent season, know that He wants you to come close—so that He can be your strength so that He can give you comfort, and so that He can provide everything you need.
No matter what we face, and no matter how our world seems to be turning upside down, God is always there to make things right. He will give us peace; His peace that the world cannot ever take away. God bless you.✝️🙏🏾
www.olivetree.com/votd/index.php
bible.com/bible/1/psa.130.5.KJV
Food for the Soul 