Free Bible Commentary
“2 Timothy 1:8-12”
Categories: 2 Timothy“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, 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, 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, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”
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When we suffer for doing what the Lord wants us to do, we having nothing to be ashamed of (verse 8). Sometimes we will be ridiculed and made fun of for making the determination to live the holy, sanctified life. It is possible that we could even suffer violence or death, as was the case with the Apostle Paul and was a likelihood for his protégé, Timothy. Just know that God will carry you and protect you and deliver you by His power when you are unashamedly pursuing His will in faithfulness.
When we truly come to know the One whom we have believed (verse 12)—the One who “gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist” (Romans 4:17); the One who causes the light to shine forth through the darkness; the One who has “brought life and immortality” to humanity and who brings it “to light through the gospel” (verse 10)—we will have no fear or shame, but fully come to trust in Him and His Good News of salvation.
Our Savior Christ Jesus “abolished death” for us (verse 10). When Jesus died and then His Spirit returned from Hades and His body arose from the grave, He destroyed sin and death and all the works of Satan. Death’s destruction will not be finalized until “that day” (verse 12) in which Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead, but death’s termination is a guaranteed certainty that is as good as done. In the meantime, Jesus took away the terror of death from the hearts of those who have truly come to know and love and obey Him.
“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” (Hebrews 2:14-15) When Jesus appeared the first time, He brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. When He appears the second and final time, He will destroy death and the grave in the lake that burns with fire (Revelation 20:14).
Please read 2 Timothy 1:13-14 for tomorrow.
Blessings!
- Louie Taylor
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