So, after several preceding articles from 2 Timothy 1:8-12, what do we do with what we have learned? Without my taking away from anything that the Holy Spirit has spoken to you from reading this passage, this chapter, or this entire book (which I hope you’ve done), let me offer some suggestions.
First, we must decide: whether we want to be ashamed of Jesus, or whether we are willing to suffer for Him.
But, this isn’t about going out and just “trying to do better”. It is about letting God (the same one that aligned all of history for His plan of salvation through Jesus)…letting God apply that same planning, preparation, and power to our lives. As Jesus’ suffering had a purpose, so also does our suffering have a purpose, whether we’re bound in chains within a Roman prison (like Paul), or we’re dealing with our own challenges in a fallen world that resists the very gospel that it so desperately needs to hear from us.
However, once we make this decision, I’d like to look at the next 2 verses to get Paul’s advice on how to actually live that out.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
2 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ti.1.13-14.NIV
In this passage, I see four practical steps that we can take to live in the gospel of Jesus Christ without being embarrassed or hiding our relationship with Jesus.
First, we must hold onto the truth. Paul describes this truth as what Timothy has heard from Paul, but even that was ultimately the gospel of Jesus, from Jesus, and about Jesus.
Jesus is the truth. He exemplifies truth; He taught truth; He lived out truth. Timothy needs to preach and teach the truth (and probably apply the truth in Ephesus, specifically, whose church is apparently still having some issues, even after Paul visited). And, sticking with the truth means not adding to the gospel and not taking away from the gospel. We might say that the truth is both necessary and sufficient.
Secondly, we (like Timothy) must lean into our faith and love in Jesus. If we don’t have faith, like Jesus trusted His Heavenly Father even when facing crucifixion, we’re going to get pulled away from the gospel when things get difficult. Like those seeds in Jesus’ parable that landed on the rocky ground (see Matthew 13:20-21, Mark 4:16-17, Luke 8:13), some pushback from a fallen world, or perhaps even normal testing of their faith (see Luke 8:13), can push those without a strong faith away from Jesus.
If we don’t have love – love for God and love for people, especially those in the church – well, we’re probably not as close to Jesus as we think that we are. He taught us to love God and to love others; in fact, He commanded it and pointed out how keeping His commands is the expected result of loving Him.
Faith and love in Jesus are a key part of focusing on Him, rather than focusing on the noise and the garbage that the world throws out, as evil forces try to distract, deter, and discourage us.
Next, we must protect what God has given us. Normally, I think of a deposit that God has left us with as the Holy Spirit Himself: part of a promise that we will be saved. However, the Holy Spirit is described as helping Timothy guard this “good deposit” here, so it seems to be something else. I think [and a commentator, cited below, agrees] that this “good deposit” is the gospel itself: the good news about Jesus Christ that Paul shared with Timothy, which Timothy – having accepted it and having been adopted into the family of God – can now pass along to others.
Finally, let’s let the Holy Spirit help. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you cannot live God’s ideal life for you by yourself. You can’t do it: you’re not qualified, you’re not strong enough, and you don’t know what to do. Yes, God created you perfectly for your role in His plan, but you need His help.
So, please, please, let God help you succeed. Once you’ve let Him in, He literally lives within you (despite your sins, which He paid for), and He’s there to help: directly, through the Bible, and through others in the church who He is leading to work with you for good.
Look up at verse 7:
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ti.1.7.NIV
We have power and love and self-discipline (or discipline, per the NASB), but not from ourselves…from God! By the way, 2 Timothy 1:8 begins with “Therefore” [NASB] (or “So” in the NIV). Why did Paul instruct Timothy on all these things? Because of what God gave Timothy, which is what God can also provide for us!
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 