Paul proceeds to give Timothy some clear instructions in this week’s passage. After describing the “spirit” Timothy is to have, not one of fear and timidity, but one of power and love and self-discipline, Paul gives Timothy two clear commands, and the reasoning behind them.

You can see it for yourself in 2 Timothy 1:8-10:

This passage begins with the word “so”, which is literally translated as “therefore.” This connects it directly back to what Paul just wrote about the spirit which was given to Timothy, and to Paul, and to us.

Paul’s statement begins with a request for Timothy’s continued faithfulness, both to Paul and to the gospel. This comes from Paul’s anguish in being imprisoned. He probably feels abandoned by many of his fellow workers and, based upon his close connection with Timothy, doesn’t want that to happen in that relationship as well.

Paul is suffering. He is in prison. He may be near the end of his life. Throughout his letters, he has always closely associated his own suffering with that of Christ, whether it is physical suffering and abuse, or the humiliation of the crucifixion. In order to understand his next two commands to Timothy, we need to see them through this lens of suffering, as Paul did.

In fact, both of these commands are two sides of the same coin.

Do not be ashamed

In this phrase, the word “ashamed” can refer to a deserved humiliation. But just as often, if not more so, it refers to undeserved humiliation. Other instances of this word convey an embarrassment or a shame, in being associated with someone or something that carries that shame. Here, Paul seems to state that there is a stigma in being associated with the Messiah, who was executed like a common criminal. And yet, because of his godhood, it was completely undeserved, and there will be a restoration. Paul simply doesn’t want Timothy to avoid the humiliation that comes because of his connection to both Christ and Paul.

Join with me in suffering

Paul expects Timothy to step up and join him in suffering that humiliation, because Christ will bring vindication to those who stay true to him. Paul expects Timothy to stay true, to experience the suffering that comes because he belongs to Christ, and to remain true to the gospel, to Paul, and to his own ministry. However, Paul states, this cannot occur by Timothy’s own power; it is only possible by the power of God. Paul states again what he said in verse 7, that the spirit of power that we have comes directly from God.

With this, Paul moves into a statement of worship. This is typical of Paul, continually summarizing the gospel in spontaneous moments of worship in his letters. He gives what many have called a creed, and succinctly summarizes the work of Christ on our behalf.

• He has saved us and called us to a holy life – Only Christ can provide our salvation. But that salvation leads us to live lives of holiness.
• Not because of anything we have done – Nothing we can do on our own provides that salvation.
• But because of his own purpose and grace – Grace is not earned. It is a gift. And is the only means by which we can receive that salvation.
• This grace was given us in Christ Jesus – Again, it is a gift, and comes through Christ.
• Before the beginning of time – God knew what would need to happen to accomplish our salvation even before the creation of the world.
• It has now been revealed – This is reminiscent of Galatians 4:4-5, another of Paul’s summaries of the gospel.
• Through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus – The appearance here is the birth and life of Christ. In Titus 3:4 and 1 Timothy 6:14, Paul uses this same word to refer to the second coming.
• Who has destroyed death – This could be translated as “rendered inoperable.” Christ put a stop to death. See 1 Corinthians 15:26.
• And has brought life and immortality to light – This is the idea of incorruptibility, also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:42-54.
• Through the gospel – This message, the one Paul is calling Timothy to suffer for and remain loyal to, is the means by which we can understand everything that Paul has just stated.

At the end of verse 8, the mention of the “power of God” sparked a spontaneous, creed-like summarization of the gospel. And now, with the mention of the gospel in the final phrase of that summary, Paul will state again, as he has so many times elsewhere in his letters, his own role in sharing that gospel with the world.

Paul’s words here remind Timothy of the weight and responsibility of the gospel, and his role in spreading that message. In short, Paul tells Timothy to not take the gospel for granted, and thereby make it ineffective.

We would do well to continually remind ourselves of the same thing. The gospel is tremendously powerful, containing the essence of what Christ did on our own behalf. Because of that, we should never take it too lightly, and continually share this good news with those around us.

Are you guilty of taking the gospel for granted? What can you do to, like Timothy, remain true to Christ and his message? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.