2 Timothy 1:8, commentary and pictures

Paul's charge to Timothy, his son in the gospel, is not to be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord nor of Paul as His prisoner, but to share in the hardships that belong to the gospel by relying on God's power. That boldness is possible because God has not given fear but a spirit of power and love and sound judgment. It rests on God's saving grace and holy calling, given not for human works but by His own purpose and grace in Christ from before the world began, now revealed when Christ appeared to abolish death and bring life and immortality to light through the gospel. It calls for courageous, steadfast faithfulness even when loyalty brings shame, imprisonment, or death, following Christ's example, with trials purifying believers, strengthening faith, and marking the way into the kingdom rather than bringing defeat. The gospel itself is never a cause for shame, so its servants are to confess it openly with joy and praise, carrying it to those outside their own faith and giving a meek and respectful reason for their hope whenever opportunity comes.

Words and Context

The verse forbids shame over the testimony about the Lord and over those imprisoned for that testimony, and it commands sharing in the hardships that come with the gospel by relying on God's power. It is addressed to believers generally as a call not to shrink from the Lord's testimony or from fellowship with sufferers for it, but to accept gospel suffering in divine strength. The same command is given as a call to courageous faithfulness even when faithfulness brings suffering.

The charge was spoken by Paul to Timothy, his son in the gospel. Timothy was told not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor of Paul as His prisoner. He was instead to share the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.

The boldness commanded is possible because God has not given fear, but a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind. That spirit is described also as sound judgment rather than fear, sustaining courage in gospel work. Confidence therefore rests in God's power rather than in human strength.

The call rests on God's saving grace and holy calling. He saves and calls not because of human works but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given in Christ Jesus before the world began. That purpose and grace have now been made manifest by the appearing of Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Courage Under Suffering

The verse calls for courageous faithfulness to the gospel even when that faithfulness brings suffering, charging the believer not to be ashamed of witness to the Lord nor of those imprisoned for it, but to share its afflictions in dependence on God's power. It is an appeal to steadfastness and courageous ministry, to be bold in gospel work rather than yielding to fear. Faithfulness to this calling may cost shame, imprisonment, or even death, endured for the good of the church in following Christ's own example of suffering. Such willingness to suffer belongs to genuine holiness and gives no ground for self-glory.

Paul himself embodies this charge, for he was never ashamed of the cause he served despite opposition, persecution, and danger. His purpose to serve Christ remained firm in every setting, and his lack of shame amid his own suffering shows that faithful service can bring affliction while confidence rests in God's power. The faith that upheld him was strengthened through effort and sacrifice.

To share the gospel's afflictions through God's power means that trials call faith into exercise and develop strength in the Lord. They also purify believers, removing what is unlike Christ and fitting them for heaven, and tribulation marks the way into the kingdom. Such suffering is not defeat and not a reason for shame, for God can turn apparent loss to good. As Christ was tried in every way and triumphed, so believers can endure hardship in God's strength and glory in the cross.

Open Witness to Others

The verse calls servants not to be ashamed to testify of the Lord or of those imprisoned for His cause, but to share the hardships that come with proclaiming the gospel, relying on God's power. That charge sends them to carry the gospel to people outside their own faith and to use every opportunity to teach the truth. Bearing it faithfully among people of different nationalities, education, and experience can be a life-and-death struggle.

Obeying it means living as heaven-bound people who show the attractive part of faith, instead of going as a crippled band of mourners groaning and complaining all along the journey to the Father's house. They show it with joy and praise to the Saviour who lives to make intercession for them. They live without fear in the power of God, willingly sharing the afflictions of the gospel according to that power.

The truth itself is never a cause for shame, nor is the gospel or those who suffer for it. Conduct that conflicts with its principles can bring dishonor on it. Believers should therefore openly confess their faith when opportunity arises and be ready to give a meek and respectful reason for their hope.