7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,” (2 Timothy 1:7-8 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul not only wanted to commend Timothy for his sincere faith, but also to challenge him in living for the Lord. It was on the basis of Timothy’s unhypocritical spirit and behavior Paul reminded him of a truth he previously shared. The truth was to fan into flame the gift of God within him (2 Tim. 1:6).
What could have caused Timothy to be discouraged? Remember the following observations from Paul. First, Timothy was handicapped by frequent physical ailments (1 Tim. 5:23). Two, he was naturally timid (“Now if Timothy comes, see to it that he is with you without fear,” 1 Cor. 16:10). Three, he was, in a sense, “a young man” (1 Tim. 4:12; cf. 2 Tim. 2:22). Fourth, the Ephesian church heretics who opposed him were very determined (1 Tim. 1:3–7, 19, 20; 4:6, 7; 6:3–10; 2 Tim. 2:14–19, 23). Finally, believers were being persecuted by the government. Think of Paul (1 Tim. 4:6). All of these factors could have contributed to Paul’s concern and counsel to his young protégé. Therefore, Paul sought to comfort his son in the faith with the same comfort the Lord gave him (2 Cor. 1:3-7).
In spite of all the personal and experiential issues Timothy was facing, Paul remined him “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” The phrase God gave us (ἔδωκεν θεὸς ἡμῖν; edoken theos hemin) indicates God is the subject. He alone gave, granted, and deposited at a particular point in time and space to believers in Christ a gift. What God gave was a spirit (πνεῦμα; pneuma). I submit the word spirit here refers to the Holy Spirit, even though some translators do not the capitalize the noun spirit and acknowledge Paul referred to the Holy Spirit.
God the Father gave all believers in Christ the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9). He is not the Spirit of fear (δειλίας; deilias) which solely refers to cowardice and timidity. Rather the Holy Spirit is one who, as God, alone possesses and gives power (δυνάμεως; dynameos), love (ἀγάπης; agapes), and self-control (σωφρονισμοῦ; sophronismou). This respectively refers to the supernatural ability, affection and sound judgment believers in Christ solely possess from God.
Therefore Timothy, and believers in Christ today, are to “not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” The word ashamed (ἐπαισχυνθῇς; epiaschynthes) means to not be disgraced or embarrassed because or an event, activity or individual. This is the same word the Apostle Paul used in his letter to the church in Rome.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16 (ESV)
20 “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. “(Romans 6:20–21 (ESV)
In his letter to Timothy, what Paul did not want believers in Christ to be ashamed of was the testimony about our Lord. Testimony (μαρτύριον; martyrian) refers to the truthful content of what is declared or said. In other words, to be a truthful witness. This truthful witness concerned the person and work solely originating from the Lord Jesus Christ; the gospel.
“The testimony “concerning our Lord” (objective genitive; cf. 1 Tim. 2:6) is, of course, the gospel, as the very parallelism of the compound clause indicates. “Do not be ashamed of the testimony concerning our Lord,” is explained by, “But, in fellowship with (me) suffer hardship for the gospel.” And cf. Rom. 1:16. In the gospel we find the testimony concerning the works and words of the Lord (John 15:26, 27). Not to be ashamed of the gospel means to be proud of it”[1]
“Of all the apostles, Paul was the most intent on guarding the purity, accuracy, and clarity of the evangelistic message. Christ uniquely commissioned him for that purpose – the defense and confirmation of the gospel (Phil. 1:7),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
Paul not only did not want Timothy to be ashamed of the gospel, he also did not want his young protégé to be ashamed of him. Even though Paul was a prisoner for the sake of the gospel, he did not want Timothy to in any way be embarrassed in having him as a mentor.
“Since Paul is so intimately associated with the gospel, it does not surprise us to read, “Do not be ashamed of the testimony concerning our Lord nor of me his prisoner.” Not Nero’s prisoner is Paul, though it may seem that way, but “our Lord’s.” The apostle always emphasizes that thought in connection with the idea of being a prisoner (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; Philem. 1, 9). Now, the expression, “his prisoner” does not only mean that it was for the defence of “our Lord’s” gospel that Paul had been imprisoned, but also that whatever pertained to his incarceration was entirely safe in the hands of the Sovereign Disposer of destinies.”[2]
Additionally, Paul wanted Timothy, and all other believers in Christ, to share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.” To share in suffering (συγκακοπάθησον; synkakopatheson) is an active command. It means to assume one’s share in suffering. For what purpose and to what end? God commands believers in Christ to share in suffering for the gospel. Believers are able to obey this command from God by the power and ability God alone provides.
“Timothy must be willing to bear ill treatment (cf. 2 Tim. 2:3) along with Paul. He must be willing to take his share of persecution; and this not in his own power, which would be impossible, but “according to (the) power of God.” That power is infinite. It will enable a person to endure even unto death.”[3]
“Paul’s exhortation to Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel is something that we need to hear each day. With all of the voices out there calling us to be ashamed about biblical Christianity, it can be difficult to stand firm for the honor of Jesus. Let us be about the business of encouraging one another not to be ashamed of the gospel and of exhorting one another to share the gospel when God gives us an opportunity to do so,” concludes Dr. R. C. Sproul.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 231.
[2] Ibid., 232.
[3] Ibid., 232.
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