Unashamed

Introduction

Paul continues his letter to Timothy building off the truth that God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Timothy, as many in the church today, was timid in nature. He did not want to face the hardship of pastoring a troubled church nor did he want to face the sufferings that came along with being a faithful follower of Christ. Paul addresses this truth by reminding him of the power that he finds in the Spirit of God and not himself, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power.

It would seem that Timothy was not the first to deal with fear, as Jesus himself tells his disciples...

Matthew 10:32–33 Wordstudy KJV

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will [I confess also] before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will [I also] deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Paul builds off the truth that we are called to confess our Lord and be unashamed of Him and His Gospel through the power that He, God, has given us, and declares once again Paul…Be unashamed of the Gospel, for by it you have been saved, unashamed of me, his prisoner, for I am called of God to this ministry and the suffering that accompanies it, and finally be unashamed of the suffering of Christ for God gives you strength to endure and your salvation is secure in Him.

Focus Passage

2 Timothy 1:8–12 Wordstudy KJV

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 a 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 Savior 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.

Outline

Be Unashamed of the Lord’s Testimony (vv.8-10)

2 Timothy 1:8–10 Wordstudy KJV

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 a 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 Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath [brought life and immortality to light] through the gospel:

Timothy, naturally timid, needed encouragement to remain faithful. There are many times within the ministry and in life that I have needed encouragement to remain faithful. It is so easy to follow the crowd. It is so easy to comprise one’s faith and obedience to the Lord out of fear: fear of rejection, fear of loss (family, friends, work), fear of being alone, and fear of suffering. Paul, realizing this truth and realizing Timothy’s natural condition of timidness states, Be not thou therefore, referring back to the previous truth revealed, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power. Many within the church need this same encouragement, Be not thou therefore, ashamed.

Paul reminds Timothy that...

1. God provides the power to be unashamed

Paul writes to Timothy, according to the power of God. Paul tells Timothy you will face suffering for the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. He tells him to embrace the suffering rather than run from the suffering, but be thou partaker of the afflictions. I have not met one person that enjoys suffering and loss. Most people I know, do all they can do to avoid suffering, loss, or affliction. This is natural. Even our Lord Jesus asked that if was according to the will of God, let the necessity of the cross pass by.

Luke 22:42 Wordstudy KJV

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Paul stated that he prayed for God to remove a thorn in the flesh three times, but God, rather than removing it, stated that His grace was sufficient. We must understand that suffering may very well be part of the life of a believer. This suffering should not be due to our disobedience but rather our obedience. As Peter writes...

1 Peter 2:20 Wordstudy KJV

20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted [for your faults,] ye shall [take it patiently?] but if, when ye [do well,] and suffer for it, ye [take it patiently,] this is acceptable with God.

1 Peter 3:17 Wordstudy KJV

17 For it [is better,] if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for [well doing,] than for [evil doing.]

The key to every believer, while suffering for the sake of the Gospel, is to be reminded that God provides the power to face it and endure it. We, as believers, must trust the sovereign will of God.

2. God has called us by His grace

The follower of Christ must be reminded that we have been called according to God’s eternal plan and purpose. This plan and purpose was settled before the foundations of the world were ever laid, but according to his own purpose…which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. As we faithfully serve according to the will and purpose of our Lord, let us rest in sovereign will. We must take grace solace in the fact that God knows his plan from beginning to end and will accomplish it. We must embrace the fact, whether we like it or not, suffering is part of that plan. If Jesus suffered, we who are His followers, will suffer. Let us be reminded of the key principle we find in this passage that allows us to endure the suffering, my grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9), and is that by which God has called us, that is saved us, His grace.

It is by God’s grace that we have been saved and that not of our selves, called us with a holy calling…according to his…grace. As Paul writes to this same church that was giving Timothy a fit...

Ephesians 2:8–9 Wordstudy KJV

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest [any man] should boast.

We have not been saved by works of righteousness but by the washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).

3. God has destroyed the power of death

As Paul is writing to young Timothy, he addresses the greatest fear of most, death. He reminds Timothy that death has already been conquered through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, who hath abolished death. Paul encourages Timothy be reminding him that death of no consequence for the believer. If one has accepted Christ, put their faith in Christ, and embraced his Lordship salvation, what was death to fear. For Christ has destroyed death. He did so through His Passion.

1 Corinthians 15:55 Wordstudy KJV

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Christ destroyed death and gave an eternal promise to the believer through his death, burial, and resurrection. He promised us that this corruptible, our human body, would be transformed and put on the incorruptible, our immortal body, our resurrected body.

Hebrews 2:14–15 Wordstudy KJV

14 Forasmuch then as the children [are partakers] of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise [took part] of the same; that through death he might destroy [him that had] the power of death, [that is,] the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime [subject to] bondage.

1 Corinthians 15:52–53 Wordstudy KJV

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the [trumpet shall sound,] and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must [put on] incorruption, and this mortal must [put on] immortality.

What great confidence it is to know that as a follower of Christ, genuinely born again, that we face any suffering, even death, and know that our victory lies in Christ and that not of our selves.

Be Unashamed of the Lord’s Prisoner (vv.11-12)

2 Timothy 1:11–12 Wordstudy KJV

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.

Paul writes, Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner. He tells Timothy, do not shy away from because I suffer for the sake of the Gospel and our Lord. Rather than shun me, embrace me. We are not to abandon our brothers and sisters in Christ in their time of need, especially those who are suffering for the sake of the Gospel. This is exactly what had happened to Paul by many within the Ephesian church. Now, Paul encourages Timothy...

1. Do not follow the crowd - ‘Be not thou therefore ashamed of…me his prisoner’

It is easy to follow to the crowd. What cost in the flesh is there for this? You keep your friends. You keep your family. You keep your job. You keep your comfort. However, God has not called us to follow the crowd. I have seen it all to often when those who claim to be Christians, follow the crowd.

They see the crowd drinking, so they drink.

They see the crowd doping, so they dope.

They see the crowd cursing, so they curse.

They see the crowd gambling, so they gamble.

They see the crowd fighting, so they fight.

They see the crowd humiliating someone, so they humiliate.

They see the crowd shunning someone, so they shun.

The list can go on and on. While there may be fleshly comfort in this, there is very much a spiritual loss. Ultimately, one’s testimony is affected and therefore the effectiveness of their ministry. As Jesus told his disciples when addressing discipleship, what good does it do for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his own soul.

As those who claimed to follow Christ abandoned Paul in shame, he tells Timothy, do not follow crowd, stand for me and stand for the gospel.

2. Reasons to embrace rather than be ashamed

Paul identifies four reasons that Timothy should embrace him rather than be ashamed of him. It is in these four reasons that we find a similar call to embrace our fellow believers rather than be ashamed.

A. Paul was called of God - ‘Whereunto I am appointed’

B. Paul was a herald of God - ‘preacher’

C. Paul was commissioned of God - ‘apostle’

D. Paul was an instructor of God - ‘teacher’

Paul specifically was called and commissioned of God to be a herald and instructor of the Gospel to the Gentiles. It was these same Gentiles that should have been coming to the support of Paul, while he was in prison. He had ministered to them. He had been used of God to lead them to their salvation. It was because of them that he was in prison. While they reaped spiritual blessings because of his faithfulness to the Lord and while he was in prison because of His serve to them, they abandoned him like many in the church to fellow believers when they feel the pressure of faithful obedience to the Lord and His call on their life.

3. Confidence in God’s sovereign hand to be unashamed

Paul writes that he suffers for all that God has called him too, For the which cause I also suffer for these things. Despite his suffering, he is not ashamed of our Lord or His calling, Nevertheless I am not ashamed. We ought not be ashamed of the Lord either or any suffering that our faithfulness may bring. He states that his confidence is not in himself, but rather the one who has redeemed him, For I know in whom I have believed. It went beyond just having a belief in the Lord, but it was a genuine faith in the Lord and his ability to keep his soul safe and secure, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have commited unto him. Just as when you deposit your check into the bank and trust the bank to keep those funds secure by the FDIC, Paul trusted that his salvation was secure in promised Holy Spirit of God.

Paul’s confidence was not just for today but for tomorrow as well. As the old hymn goes, I may not know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow in his hands. It was in the very same hands of the one who saved him that he trusted his salvation to be secure in. It was also in these very same hands that looked forward to a hope of an eternity with the Lord, against that day.

What difference did the temporal suffering of today make to the Apostle Paul? What difference should it make to us as believers today? It should not make a difference at all. As Paul writes to the church at Rome...

Romans 8:18 Wordstudy KJV

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Paul was not concerned with the pleasures or sufferings of today but of the brightness of his future to come in the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:8 Wordstudy KJV

8 Henceforth there is [laid up] for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all [them also that love] his appearing.

This is to be our focus as believers today.

Conclusion

As written in the Bible Exposition Commentary...

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Christians Courageous! (2 Timothy 1)

In these difficult days, it is important that we stand true to Christ and be willing to suffer for Him and not be ashamed. We may not be put into prison, as was Paul; but we suffer in other ways: the loss of friends, being bypassed for a promotion, loss of customers, being snubbed by people, etc. It is also important that we stand by God’s servants who are suffering for righteousness’ sake.