January 16, 2015

“Do Not Be Ashamed…”

Blessings folk!

Paul is reminding, encouraging and exhorting Timothy.

It is now time of the usual “Pauline run-on sentence”...LOL

Read the sentence.

We will consider it a bite at a time.

2 Timothy 1:8-11
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

“Therefore”...again, considering the context of what had been said earlier in the letter.

Paul encouraged Timothy to not be ashamed.
To not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord.
To not be ashamed of Paul...the Lord’s prisoner.
Through testifying of the Lord, Paul was arrested. Paul was a prisoner.
Literally, the prisoner of the Lord.

Then, Paul exhorted Timothy to join with him in suffering for the gospel.
According to the power of God.
Suffering may be/will be a part of the testimony of the gospel.
According to the power of God.

We often think that the power of God will prevent suffering/bad things/etc.
This is man’s perspective...and is incorrect.

Let us rest in gospel according to the power of God.