2 Timothy 1:8-12
I Know Whom I Have Believed
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8So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
9He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
10And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,
11to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.
12For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
Berean Standard Bible
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Paul asks Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony about Jesus or of Paul as His prisoner. Instead, Timothy is to share in suffering for the gospel. This call comes with a source of strength: God's power.
God has saved His people and called them to a holy life. That calling rests on His purpose and grace, not on their achievements. The grace given in Christ before time began has now been revealed through the coming of the Savior. Timothy's service rests on something God began long before Timothy could contribute to it.
Jesus has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Believers still face bodily death, as Paul himself expects to do. But death cannot cancel the life Christ gives or have the final word over those who belong to Him. The gospel announces that lasting hope.
Paul suffers because he was appointed to proclaim this message. Yet he is not ashamed: he knows the One he has trusted and is convinced that Christ can guard what he has entrusted to Him until that day. His confidence has a firm foundation in the Savior and His saving work. Timothy can therefore stand with the gospel and with its suffering messengers.
Questions
1 What does Paul ask Timothy not to be ashamed of?
AnswerHe asks him not to be ashamed of the testimony about Jesus or of Paul, who is a prisoner for His sake.
2 What is the source of God's saving call?
AnswerIt comes from God's own purpose and grace in Christ before time began, rather than from anything His people have accomplished.
3 What has Christ revealed through the gospel?
AnswerHe has defeated death's final power and brought life and immortality to light. Those who trust Him have hope beyond bodily death.
4 Why is Paul confident despite his suffering?
AnswerHe knows Christ, whom he has trusted, and is convinced that Christ can guard what he has entrusted to Him until that day.
What This Means for Us
It can be costly to acknowledge faith in Christ or stand beside someone suffering for it. Ask God for courage to speak truthfully and offer that person practical support.
When your own future feels uncertain, remember the saving work Paul describes. Your hope rests in Christ's grace and victory over death, and He is able to keep what you entrust to Him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for saving grace that began before our works and for life that death cannot destroy. Strengthen us to confess You openly and stand beside those who suffer for the gospel. Amen.