Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 10

Paul tells Timothy to Never be Ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Part 5

2 Timothy 1:12 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. KJV

The Apostle Paul now wants to have Brother Timothy to know and realize that because he was appointed to do the will of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as one of His Apostles, that this is why he has come under such fierce and violent attack from the devil through the two-legged devils used by him. Paul had learned from our Lord Jesus Christ over the years of his walking with Him how to be content in whatever condition, circumstance, or course that his earthly life would take all for the sake of getting the Gospel of Grace proclaimed in all the Gentile world, just as he wrote with these words to the Philippian Church, "Not that I speak according to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11-13) (Modern KJV). It is Paul's desire now to comfort Timothy and even more so strengthen him for what it is assuredly he will face from the human instruments of the devil as he navigates his way through this pilgrimage as an ambassador for our Lord Jesus Christ, so Paul tells Timothy that his current suffering is because of his stance for the Gospel of Christ as the only hope for sinful man on the earth but he will never be ashamed of this truth, but instead will shout it out loud for all the world to hear and know, therefore, Paul writes this, "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." (2 Timothy 1:12) (KJV).

The little English word 'for' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word dia which is a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal or occasional). The little English word 'cause' is translated by the Greek word aitia which means a cause (as if asked for), that is, (logical) reason (motive, matter). The little English word with big meaning 'suffer' is translated by the Greek word penthō which is a primary verb meaning to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful): - feel, passion, suffer, vex. When Paul writes 'these things', he is referring to the beatings he took from the Jews and Gentiles and the imprisonments (including his current incarceration at the very time he is writing this letter to Timothy). In other words, Paul was making it clear to Timothy and we true believers today that the reason and cause of his sufferings were because he was an Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ speaking the truth (in love) of the Word of God declaring Jesus Christ to be God and the only way of heaven and forgiveness of sins, just as he declared to the Colossian Church with these words, "I am glad that I can suffer for you. I am pleased also that in my own body I can continue the suffering of Christ for His body, the Church. God's plan was to make me a servant of His Church and to send me to preach His complete message to you." (Colossian 1:24-25) (Contemporary English Version).

When Paul writes 'nevertheless I am not ashamed', he means that despite his unfair treatment by sinners who have rejected Christ, he will not be moved from his confident belief and faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning Paul being unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, "Neither of the Gospel, and the truths and ordinances of it, for which he suffered; but he continued to own and confess it constantly, and to preach it boldly; none of these things moved him from it: nor of the sufferings he endured, for the sake of it; since they were not for murder, or theft, or sedition, or any enormity whatever, but in a good cause; wherefore he was so far from being ashamed of them, that he took pleasure in them, and gloried of them. Nor was he ashamed of Christ, whose Gospel he preached, and for whom he suffered; nor of his faith and hope in Him." The Apostle Peter wrote to those Christians back then and to we Christians today and to every Christian of every era and generation who were then and are now suffering just for their stance for the Gospel and their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ with these words of wisdom, "God will bless you, even if others treat you unfairly for being loyal to Him. You don't gain anything by being punished for some wrong you have done. But God will bless you, if you have to suffer for doing something good. After all, God chose you to suffer as you follow in the footsteps of Christ, who set an example by suffering for you." (1 Peter 1:19-21) (Contemporary English Version).

When Paul writes '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', he means he is assured that Christ Jesus is not only the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), but He (Jesus Christ) is God in human flesh and he is sure that He is the One True and Only God. Paul was sure that his faith in our Lord Jesus Christ was made evident by the Power of Christ and because of His Goodness and Mercy he could not trust in Him in vain. Paul's eternal soul was in safe, sure, and solid care in Christ Jesus our Lord and so is our soul today and every born again Christian of every era and generation. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning Paul's words of  'that which I have committed unto Him against that day', "This is variously understood. Some think he means his life, which he had put, as it were, into the hands of Christ, in order that he might receive it again, in the resurrection, at the great day. Others think he means his soul. This he had also given into the hands of his faithful Creator, knowing that although wicked men might be permitted to take away his life, yet they could not destroy his soul, nor disturb its peace. Others think that he is speaking of the Gospel, which he knows will be carefully preserved by the great Head of the Church; for, though he shall be soon called to seal the truth with his blood, yet he knows that God will take care that the same truth shall be proclaimed to the world by others, whom God shall raise up for that very purpose."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…