The study guide refers to 2 Timothy 1:8 as the pivot around which the theme of 2 Timothy revolves, so this passage is probably good to pause and take a closer look at.
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 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ti.1.8.NIV
Timothy has a choice to make, apparently, and I think that we also have the same choice in front of us. We can be ashamed of Jesus and those who give their lives completely over to Him, or we can suffer for the truth when necessary.
Now, given the laws of the modern nation of Italy, I don’t think that any of us are currently suffering exactly like Paul was when he wrote this latter (since he was probably in literal chains within a Roman prison). So, what are different ways that people suffer for the gospel today? I don’t want to stretch Paul’s message to Timothy too far, since they were each living in their own specific circumstances, but I believe that the principles here apply to various kinds of suffering, like these:
- Direct, overt persecution from others for living out the Christian faith
- Indirect persecution, like being left out of things that other people do; not being part of the “crowd”, the culture, popular opinion, politics, or things like that
- Spiritual attacks from forces of evil (temptations, accusations, etc.)
- Possibly physical attacks from forces of evil (like what Satan was allowed to do to Job)
- Battling our own sinful nature, which is a really tough battle to fight, since it’s a part of us
- And, the ongoing suffering that comes from living in a world that is fallen and broken because of humankind’s sins (including, but not limited to, our own sins)
Conversely, what does it mean to be ashamed of Jesus?
- Do we avoid aspects of the Christian walk that might offend others, even when we know that they are the right thing to do at the time?
- Do we shy away from associating with other Christians who are standing up for their faith (when, where, and how God calls them to), as others insult or persecute them?
- Do we skip mentioning how God makes a difference in our lives when we’re not around our Christian friends, even when others around us need to hear about who God really is?
Now, I could be something of a bully, and try to shame each of you who hasn’t been perfect in standing up boldly and bravely for Jesus Christ (wherever and whenever He prompted you to do so). I could tell you that you all need to “shape up” and “get with the program”, and that you need to go out and do a better job. However, there would be 2 problems with me doing so:
For one thing, I’d condemn myself as much or more than any of you, since I fail at this, too. Don’t feel like you have to call me on it every time, though: I beat myself up plenty for my own failures, despite the fact that I can envision Jesus right there, explaining how He’s already paid for all my sins and shortcomings.
Secondly, and perhaps more significantly, Paul’s example here doesn’t tell anyone to “just do a better job”. In the larger passage of 2 Timothy 2:8-10, for instance, look at how many times Paul’s invitation to Timothy goes back to God Himself as the source.
Timothy is called to suffer for the gospel “by the power of God” [NIV] or “according to the power of God” [NASB]. It is God’s power that brought the gospel, God’s power that made it possible for us (and others) to be saved, God’s power that can get us through suffering, and God’s power that we rely on in the tough times. In fact, it might even be God’s power that has Paul in prison, not because God doesn’t love Paul, but because there’s a reason for Paul’s being there.
In fact, the gospel itself wasn’t even our idea: looking ahead in this chapter, it was God’s “own purpose”. There was divine reason and divine plan and divine preparation behind Jesus’ ministry and sacrifice, and while we can’t die for the sins of the world, there is divine reason and divine plan and divine preparation behind our suffering for the gospel, too.
We may be awe-struck with how God brought everything together – a world that was set up just right – for Jesus to come to earth at exactly the right place and the perfect time. Did you ever consider, though, that God planned for your life with exactly the same wisdom and preparation? Now, Old Testament prophets probably didn’t mention you or me specifically, but the same God who brought the Gospel of Jesus into a world with a common language and good roads and a time of peace and wise men looking for a star and everything else that made His arrival perfect; that same God prepared for your life as well, and that same God knows what He is doing as He takes you through both highs and lows in this world that we walk in, despite our mortal lives being like a “mist” against the backdrops of history and the future of eternity.
If you’re suffering for your faith today, I hope that you will consider this invitation that Paul gave to Timothy, and remember that the same God that worked in Paul’s life and Timothy’s life is active in your life, too!
From Sunday School lesson prepared for March 16, 2025
References:
- 1717 Bible Studies, 2 Timothy, © 2025 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1, 2 Timothy & Titus, by C. Michael Moss. © 1994 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 