8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:8-12 KJV)
Not Ashamed of the Gospel
Paul then exhorts Timothy to expect afflictions and prepare for them: “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner” (2 Timothy 1:8). The gospel is nothing to be ashamed of, nor are those who suffer for it. Timothy must not shrink from owning Paul, though he is bound in chains for Christ’s sake (Ephesians 4:1). If we are ashamed of Christ or His servants now, He will be ashamed of us later (Mark 8:38).
Instead, Timothy must “share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,” meaning he must expect hardship for the gospel’s sake and be willing to suffer with others for Christ. Those who hope for life through the gospel must be ready to suffer for it. Strength to endure comes only from God (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Paul encourages Timothy by recalling what God has done for us through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:9-10). The gospel’s aim is our salvation—He has saved us, and we should not think it too much to suffer for the message that brings us eternal life. He has called us with a holy calling, not because of our works but according to His own purpose and grace, given us in Christ Jesus before time began (Titus 1:2). Wherever the call of the gospel takes effect, it produces holiness, for those who will be saved hereafter are sanctified now.
This grace, purposed from eternity, is revealed “by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus,” who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10). By removing sin, He broke death’s power, so that death now serves as a passage from a troubled world into a perfect one. Thus believers can say, “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55-56). The gospel has made eternal life clear and certain, showing us the hope of glory and the reward of faith (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Paul adds his own example (2 Timothy 1:11-12). He was appointed a preacher and teacher of the Gentiles, and though he suffers for the gospel, he is not ashamed, for he knows whom he has believed and is persuaded that Christ is able to guard what he has entrusted to Him until that day. Every believer must entrust his soul to Christ, confident that He will preserve it for that final day of reckoning (Luke 16:2). Those who trust in Christ stand on firm ground, for they have placed their hope in the most faithful guardian.