Page 7 - March 2026 - Truth & Tidings

ity in his understudy. It was the same of being associated with Paul, who was
faith that Paul had observed in Timothy’s kept in a high-security Roman dungeon,
mother and grandmother when he was yet Paul reminded Timothy that he was
in Lystra and Derbe. These were women not Nero’s prisoner but the Lord’s pris-
who lived in places where persecution oner; there is no shame in that. Being
against the gospel was rampant. Are oth- unashamed is to “endure hardness” like
ers encouraged when they think about us? a good soldier (2:3), “endure all things
Lastly, Paul reminded Timothy to stir for the elect’s sake” (2:10) and “endure
up his gift instead of taking the path of afflictions” (4:5).
least resistance. We can imagine Timo-
thy’s doubts as he finished reading the Paul showed Timothy the example of
letter, considering the great tasks that lay being unashamed in suffering. He was
ahead. Yet there was the assurance that a preacher who proclaimed the gospel
he was in Paul’s prayers, that his tears authoritatively, an apostle who brought
were understood, that his past faith was the message with unique authority, and
recognized, and that he could rest in God a teacher who clearly explained the truth
to accomplish the task necessary. He was involved with the gospel. He was a target
there for a reason and needed to fan the and suffered for his ministry. Paul was not
flame of his gift to make it useful. ashamed of his plight because he under-
Not Ashamed stood that the cause of the gospel was far
greater than the apostle to the Gentiles.
The first half of the chapter was to en- God entrusted Paul with a work and a
courage Timothy with support, and now message, and Paul committed it back to
he is told of certain hardship ahead. Three the Lord finished and unadulterated. Paul
times from verses 8-18, Paul talks about gave his life to keep the truth pure, and he
not being ashamed. First in verse 8, Paul was confident that God would keep pre-
says, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of serving that same truth unto the coming
the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his
prisoner.” Notice verse 12 where Paul of Christ and His Judgment Seat.
2
states, “I am not ashamed.” Finally, note Lastly, Paul encourages Timothy by
verse 16 concerning Onesiphorus, who telling him about an unashamed friend,
was “not ashamed of [Paul’s] chain.” Onesiphorus. Demas forsook him, while
Paul told Timothy to relinquish his nat- Crescens and Titus left to go to other cit-
ural tendency toward timidity and instead ies (4:10,16). No one would stand with
embrace the power, love and sound mind him, though he doesn’t blame them for
that God desires to work within. He was it (4:16). Onesiphorus’ visit would have
to be unashamed of two things: the testi- been extremely refreshing to him. Paul
mony of the Lord, and Paul his prisoner. was no longer in the public eye and was
The testimony of the Lord is the message disgraced by many, but this man showed
that brought the knowledge of salvation mercy to Paul. By hazarding his life and
to Timothy, likely through Paul himself. stirring up his own spiritual gift of service
Many deliberately avoided the danger and showing mercy toward others, One-

2 Bible quotations in this article are from the siphorus will find mercy from the Lord at
KJV. the Judgment Seat.

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