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2 Timothy 1:6–14 “Faith that Overcomes Suffering”

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5–7 minutes

2 Timothy 1:6-14 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

Explanation:

After praising Timothy’s faith, the Apostle encourages him to boldly fulfill his mission as an evangelist. In his earlier letter, Paul had also mentioned the gift Timothy received when hands were laid on him (1 Tim. 4:14). Together with the elders, Paul laid hands on Timothy to set him apart as a minister of the gospel, and at that time the gift of God was given. Paul says, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God” (v. 6). These words imply that the gift may have grown dormant. When the Spirit of God is alive in someone, they will not be overcome by fear or cowardice. For the Holy Spirit is the source of “power, love, and self-discipline” (v. 7).

Timothy had become discouraged because of Paul’s imprisonment. This likely filled him with great fear, since continuing to preach the gospel could lead to the same fate for himself. So, Paul exhorts him, “Do not be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God” (v. 8). Paul’s imprisonment and eventual martyrdom could have been taken as proof of the gospel’s weakness. But Paul saw it differently: in suffering, the power of the gospel is revealed. To “suffer for the gospel” is part of the “holy calling” God has given to those who are saved (v. 9). And this calling is not based on human merit, but “because of his own purpose and grace.”

This “salvation and calling” was given through Jesus Christ, yet it had been within God’s plan and providence “before the beginning of time.” The phrase “before time began” is a paradox, because eternity does not have before or after. It means that God’s plan for humanity’s salvation and calling was present from the very beginning. This plan, which was hidden from the start, has now been “revealed” (v. 10) through Jesus Christ. Through his resurrection, Christ “destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” This is the gospel Paul is now proclaiming (v. 11).

Therefore, even though he suffers, Paul is not ashamed. He trusts in the truth of the gospel. The One in whom he has believed is Jesus Christ. He is truly trustworthy, and that is why Paul is convinced that Christ “is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” (v. 12), meaning his eternal life.

Paul then continues his exhortation to Timothy: Do not be ashamed or afraid because of what has happened to Paul. Instead, hold firmly to the “sound teaching” (v. 13) you heard from him, in faith and love in Christ Jesus. And by the power of “the Holy Spirit who lives in us” (v. 14), guard this good deposit.

Meditation:

Among pastors, there is a common saying: “Do not let the congregation know about your illness.” This is because some church members might think, “How little must the pastor have prayed to get such a disease?” In the same way, some people boast that they never once caught COVID, as if that were proof of their faith’s power. Many Christians carry the belief that if one truly believes in the living God, everything will go smoothly, and success will always follow. Because of this, people in the church often hide their weaknesses and act as if nothing is wrong. But when something overwhelming happens that they cannot handle, they suddenly disappear.

This is why the Apostle Paul told Timothy not to be ashamed of what had happened to him. In those days, people thought in this way: if someone achieved great success, it was because the god they believed in was powerful; if someone became gravely ill, it meant their god had abandoned them or was punishing them. When Paul was imprisoned and it seemed likely that he would soon be executed, people concluded, “Everything he believed was false.” They thought that the Jesus Paul trusted was either not truly God or, if he was, had no power to save him. In such a situation, believers naturally felt discouraged. It seemed useless to preach the gospel of the resurrection when Paul himself was in prison.

Paul comforted Timothy, who had become timid, urging him to rethink the meaning of the gospel. Jesus Christ appeared within God’s eternal plan to save humanity. Through his resurrection, he abolished death and proved the reality of eternal life. Jesus Christ demonstrated this truth in both his life and death, and he will come again to fulfill all these promises. Because Paul believed this, he was not afraid of imprisonment or even martyrdom. True faith is not about living without suffering, it is about rejoicing even in the midst of suffering.

Prayer:

“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” (v. 12). I hold Paul’s confession in my heart. Lord, help us to know you more deeply, and by that faith, lead us even through the gates of death. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: True faith is not about living without suffering but trusting and rejoicing in Christ even in the midst of suffering. Paul was not ashamed of his chains because he knew Jesus had defeated death and promised eternal life. Our faith grows strong when we rely on the Holy Spirit, even in weakness or hardship.

  • For Preschool-Elementary
    • Have you ever been afraid of something but felt braver when someone you love was with you? How is God like that?
    • Why do you think Paul wasn’t ashamed even when he was in prison?
    • What does it mean that Jesus “took away death” by rising again?
  • Youth
    • Why do people sometimes think faith should make life easy or always successful? What might be the danger of this thinking?
    • Paul said, “I know whom I have believed.” What does it mean to know Jesus personally, not just know about him?
    • How can you show courage in your faith when friends, school, or society make you feel pressured to hide it?

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