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| 2 Timothy 1:8 |
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;
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This section has 4 verses:
2 Timothy 1:8-11
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.
A GOSPEL WORTH SUFFERING FOR
So, then, do not be ashamed to bear your witness to
our Lord; and do not be ashamed of me his prisoner;
but accept with me the suffering which the gospel
brings, and do so in the power of God, who saved us,
and who called us with a call to consecration, a
call which had nothing to do with our own
achievements, but which was dependent solely on his
purpose, and on the grace which was given to us in
Christ Jesus: and all this was planned before the
world began, but now it stands full-displayed
through the appearance of our Saviour Christ Jesus,
who abolished death and brought life and
incorruption to light by means of the good news
which he brought, good news in the service of which
I have been appointed a herald, and an apostle and a
teacher.
IT is inevitable that loyalty to the gospel will
bring trouble. For Timothy, it meant loyalty to a
man who was regarded as a criminal, because as Paul
was writing he was in prison in Rome. But here Paul
sets out the gospel in all its glory, something
worth suffering for. Sometimes by implication and
sometimes by direct statement, he brings out element
after element in that glory. Few passages in the New
Testament have in them and behind them such a sense
of the sheer grandeur of the gospel.
(1) It is the gospel of power. Any suffering which
it involves is to be borne in the power of God. To
the ancient world, the gospel was the power to live.
That very age in which Paul was writing was the
great age of suicide. The highest-principled of the
ancient thinkers were the Stoics; but they had their
own way out when life became intolerable. They had a
saying: ‘God gave men life, but God gave men the
still greater gift of being able to take their own
lives away.’ The gospel was, and is, power – power
to conquer self, power to take control of
circumstances, power to go on living when life is
unlivable, power to be a Christian when being a
Christian looks impossible.
(2) It is the gospel of salvation. God is the God
who saves us. The gospel is rescue. It is rescue
from sin; it liberates people from the things which
have them in their grip; it enables them to break
with the habits which are unbreakable. The gospel is
a rescuing force which can make bad people good.
(3) It is the gospel of consecration. It is not
simply rescue from the consequences of past sin; it
is a summons to walk the way of holiness.
(4) It is the gospel of grace. It is not something
which we achieve, but something which we accept. God
did not call us because we are holy; he called us to
make us holy. If we had to deserve the love of God,
our situation would be helpless and hopeless. The
gospel is the free gift of God. He does not love us
because we deserve his love; he loves us out of the
sheer generosity of his heart.
(5) It is the gospel of God’s eternal purpose. It
was planned before time began. We must never think
that God was once stern law and that only since the
life and death of Jesus has he been forgiving love.
From the beginning of time, God’s love has been
searching for us, and his grace and forgiveness have
been offered to us. Love is the essence of the
eternal nature of God.
(6) It is the gospel of life and immortality. It is
Paul’s conviction that Christ Jesus brought life and
immortality to light. The ancient world feared
death; or, if it did not fear it, regarded it as
extinction. It was the message of Jesus that death
was the way to life, and that far from separating us
from God it brought us into his nearer presence.
(7) It is the gospel of service. It was this gospel
which made Paul a herald, an apostle and a teacher
of the faith. It did not leave him with the
comfortable feeling that now his own soul was saved
and he did not need to worry any more. It laid on
him the inescapable task of wearing himself out in
the service of God and of other people. This gospel
laid three obligations on Paul.
(a) It made him a herald. The word is ke¯rux, which
has three main lines of meaning, each with something
to suggest about our Christian duty. The ke¯rux was
the herald who brought the announcement from the
king. The ke¯rux was the one who was sent when two
armies were opposed to each other, who brought the
terms of or the request for truce and peace. The
ke¯rux was the person whom an auctioneer or a
merchant employed to advertise the wares and invite
people to come and buy. So, the Christian is to be
the one who brings the message to others; the one
who brings men and women into peace with God; the
one who calls on others to accept the rich offer
which God is making to them.
(b) It made him an apostle, apostolos, literally one
who is sent out. The word can mean an envoy or an
ambassador. The apostolos did not speak for himself,
but for the one who sent him. He did not come in his
own authority, but in the authority of the one who
sent him. Christians are the ambassadors of Christ,
whose task is to speak for him and to represent him
to the world.
(c) It made him a teacher. There is a very real
sense in which the teaching task of Christians and
of the Church is the most important of all.
Certainly, the task of the teacher is very much
harder than the task of the evangelist. The
evangelist’s task is to appeal to people and
confront them with the love of God. In a vivid
moment of emotion, someone may respond to that
summons. But a long road remains. That person must
learn the meaning and discipline of the Christian
life. The foundations have been laid, but the main
structure still has to be built. The flame of
evangelism has to be followed by the steady glow of
Christian teaching. It may well be that people drift
away from the Church after their first decision, for
the simple yet fundamental reason that they have not
been taught about the full meaning of the Christian
faith.
Herald, ambassador, teacher – here is the threefold
function of all Christians who would serve their
Lord and their Church.
Now back to the list of what the gospel is...
(8) It is the gospel of Christ Jesus. It was fully
displayed through his appearance. The word Paul uses
for appearance is one with a great history. It is
epiphaneia, a word which the Jews repeatedly used of
the great saving manifestations of God in the
terrible days of the Maccabaean struggles, when the
enemies of Israel were deliberately seeking to
obliterate God.
In the days of the high priest Onias, a certain
Heliodorus came to plunder the Temple treasury at
Jerusalem. Neither prayers nor pleading would stop
him carrying out this sacrilege. And, so the story
runs, as Heliodorus was about to set hands on the
treasury, ‘the Sovereign of spirits and of all
authority caused so great a manifestation
[epiphaneia] . . . For there appeared to them a
magnificently caparisoned [harnessed] horse with a
rider of fighting mien . . . it rushed furiously at
Heliodorus and struck at him with its front hooves .
. . When he suddenly fell to the ground and deep
darkness came over him’ (2 Maccabees 3:24–7). What
exactly happened, we may never know; but in Israel’s
hour of need there came this tremendous epiphaneia
of God. When Judas Maccabaeus and his little army
were confronted with the might of Nicanor, they
prayed: ‘O Lord, you sent your angel in the time of
King Hezekiah of Judah, and he killed fully 185,000
in the camp of Senacharib [cf. 2 Kings 19:35–6]. So
now, O Sovereign of the heavens, send a good angel
to spread terror and trembling before us. By the
might of your arm may these blasphemers who come
against your holy people be struck down.’ And then
the story goes on: ‘Nicanor and his troops advanced
with trumpets and battle songs, but Judas and his
troops met the enemy in battle with invocations to
God and prayers. So, fighting with their hands and
praying to God in their hearts, they laid low at
least 35,000, and were greatly gladdened by God’s
manifestation [epiphaneia]’ (2 Maccabees 15:22–7).
Once again, we do not know exactly what happened;
but God made a great and saving appearance for his
people. To the Jews, epiphaneia denoted a rescuing
intervention of God.
To the Greeks, this was an equally great word. The
accession of the emperor to his throne was called
his epiphaneia. It was his manifestation. Every
emperor came to the throne with high hopes; his
coming was hailed as the dawn of a new and precious
day, and of great blessings to come.
The gospel was fully displayed with the epiphaneia
of Jesus; the very word shows that he was God’s
great, rescuing intervention and manifestation into
the world.
~Barclay Commentary
Now to the other commentaries.
The verse breaks out into 4 parts;
1] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony
of our Lord
2] Nor of me his prisoner.
3] But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the
gospel.
4] According to the power of God.
1] Be not thou therefore ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord.
Be not thou therefore ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord - “Do not become
ashamed” (as he had not).
Robertson's Word Pictures
Be not thou therefore ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord - The
exhortation, grounded on the fact that the spiritual
gifts which he had received should be allowed, as it
were, free play, implies some fear that Timothy was
acting as if ashamed of the testimony of Jesus.
~Popular Commentary on the
New Testament
Be not thou therefore ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord - Since "the
spirit of fear" was not imparted, there must be
boldness to testify for the Lord.
~People's New Testament
Be not thou therefore ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord - Do not be
ashamed to bear your testimony to the doctrines
taught by the Lord Jesus; John 3:11, John 3:32-33;
John 7:7. Paul seems to have apprehended that
Timothy was in some danger of being ashamed of this
gospel, or of shrinking back from its open avowal in
the trials and persecutions to which he now saw it
exposed him. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verses:
John 3:11
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do
know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive
not our witness.
John 3: 32-33
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he
testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to
his seal that God is true.
John 7:7
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because
I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
Be not thou therefore ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord - The testimony
of Christ is the Gospel in general, which proclaims
Christ crucified, and redemption through his blood.
In the sight of the world, there appeared to be
reason why a man should be ashamed of this; ashamed
of him who was crucified as a malefactor; but, when
this Gospel became the power of God to the salvation
of every one that believed, it was a subject to
exult in. Hence the apostle, Romans 1:16, said, I am
not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.
~Adam Clarke
Quoted verse:
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it
is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Be not then therefore ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord - Either that
testimony which Christ bore personally by his
doctrine and miracles, and by his sufferings and
death; or rather the Gospel so called, because it
comes from Christ, and because it is a testimony
concerning him; concerning his person, his offices,
his righteousness, blood, sacrifice, and
satisfaction; concerning his obedience, sufferings,
death, resurrection, ascension, session at God's
right hand, intercession for his people, and second
coming to judgment; and concerning life and
salvation by him: and which no preacher or professor
of Christ has reason to be ashamed of, it being so
true in itself, so great, so glorious, and so
useful; and whoever is, Christ will be ashamed of
him another day: ~John Gill
2] Nor of me his prisoner.
Nor of me his prisoner
- Something obviously had come to St. Paul’s
knowledge on this point, which had given him pain.
Timothy had drawn back, as if ashamed of him, as
well as of the Gospel. He adds the word ‘prisoner’
as likely to appeal more strongly than aught else to
Timothy’s feelings.
~Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Nor of me his prisoner
- Though a prisoner, he was a prisoner for
righteousness' sake. It may be that this was a
gentle rebuke; that Timothy had failed in boldness.
~People's New Testament
Nor of me his prisoner
- Of the testimony which I have borne to the truth
of the gospel. This passage proves that, when Paul
wrote this Epistle, he was in confinement. Timothy
knew that he had been thrown into prison on account
of his love for the gospel. To avoid that himself,
there might be some danger that a timid young man
might shrink from an open avowal of his belief in
the same system of truth.
~Barnes Notes
Nor of me his prisoner
- When our friends are in power and credit, we can
readily acknowledge them, and take opportunities to
show that we have such and such connections; but
when the person falls into disgrace or discredit,
though we cannot pretend not to know him, yet we
take care not to acknowledge him. This induced
Cicero, in relation to friendships, to give for a
maxim - Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur: “A
true friend is known in adverse circumstances;” and
from this we have borrowed our proverb, A friend in
need, is a friend indeed.
~Adam Clarke
Nor of me his prisoner
- for Paul was now a prisoner at Rome, but not for
any capital crime, or for any immorality, but for
the sake of Christ, and for preaching his Gospel;
wherefore none of his friends had any reason to be
ashamed of him; he was suffering in a glorious
cause, and setting a noble example to others; it
looks as if Timothy was somewhat blameworthy in this
respect. ~John Gill
3] But be thou partaker of the
afflictions of the gospel.
But be thou partaker of the
afflictions of the gospel - Better, ‘Be thou
a partaker in my sufferings for the gospel.’
~Popular Commentary on the
New Testament
But be thou partaker of the
afflictions of the gospel - Ready to share
with me whatever may befall.
~People's New Testament
But be thou partaker of the
afflictions of the gospel - The sufferings to
which the profession of the gospel may expose you;
compare the notes at Colossians 1:24.
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
Colossians 1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill
up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ
in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the
church:
But be thou partaker of the
afflictions of the Gospel - No parent could
love a child better than Paul loved Timothy; and,
behold! he who could wish him nothing but what was
great, honorable, and good, wishes him to be a
partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel! Because,
to suffer for Christ, and suffer with Christ, was
the highest glory to which any human being in this
state could arrive. The royal way to the crown of
glory, is by the [stake]
of Christ. ~Adam Clarke
But be thou partaker of the
afflictions of the Gospel - the Gospel is
here represented as a person suffering afflictions,
and the apostle would have Timothy suffer them as
that did, and along with it; he means those
afflictions which come upon men for preaching and
professing the Gospel; for though the Gospel is a
Gospel of peace, yet, through the corruption and
depravity of men, it brings a sword, division, and
trouble. Tribulation arises on account of it; and
this should be endured patiently, and constantly,
for the sake of it: ~John
Gill
4] According to the power of God.
According to the power of God
- i.e. the power that comes from God, with
special reference to the ‘spirit of power’ of 2
Timothy 1:7. ~Popular
Commentary on the New Testament
Quoted verse:
2 Timothy 1:7 [See
Lesson]
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of
power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
According to the power of God
- Suffer afflictions, bearing them, sustained
by the power of God.
~People's New Testament
According to the power of God
- That is, according to the power which God gives to
those who are afflicted on account of the gospel.
The apostle evidently supposes that they who were
subjected to trials on account of the gospel, might
look for divine strength to uphold them, and asks
him to endure those trials, relying on that
strength, and not on his own.
~Barnes Notes
According to the power of God
- While thou hast no more affliction than thou hast
grace to sustain thee under, thou canst have no
cause to complain. And God will take care that if a
faithful discharge of thy duty shall expose thee to
afflictions, his power manifested in thee shall be
in proportion to thy necessities. His load cannot be
oppressive, who is strengthened to bear it by the
power of God. ~Adam Clarke
According to the power of God
- which is only sufficient to enable persons to bear
them; and is mentioned for the encouragement of
Timothy and others, to endure them cheerfully.
~John Gill
Recap
Here are some of the key points from this lesson:
1] Loyalty to the gospel will bring trouble.
2] The gospel makes us all heralds, ambassadors and
teachers.
3] Allow the gifts and talents that are in you to
flow freely.
4] Invoke boldness throughout your Salvation
Process.
5] "A friend in need, is a friend indeed."
6] Be ready for whatever may befall us or the
church.
7] Be thou a partaker of the afflictions of the
gospel. Endure them patiently and constantly.
8] Continually invoke and rely on the Spirit of God,
which is the power of God by which we do all things
in the Salvation Process. |
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