2 Timothy 1

Verses 1-7, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Paul is writing this letter from Rome while he is in prison. But rather than being discouraged and feeling self pity, he uses the opportunity to write to Timothy to encourage him continue in the faith. Feeling sorry for yourself is not from God, but rather the Devil. Paul takes any ungodly thoughts captive. He has no reason to be ashamed and can continue to serve God with a pure conscience, because he knows that he is being punished for Christ's sake, not for his own wrongdoing. 1 Peter 2:19-21, “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”

Knowing the spiritual benefit of persecution, Paul asks Timothy to share in his sufferings for the gospel with him. If you are in a church that teaches the truth, the same will be asked of you.  Verse 8, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.”  Contrary to how we may feel during our own suffering, we are told to rejoice, knowing that we will one day be rewarded in heaven. Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Paul says in Verse 12, “For this reason 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 what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

After having much time to prayerfully consider the genuine faith that Timothy had, Paul desired greatly to see him so that he would be filled with joy. Timothy brought Paul joy because he followed his example in serving God faithfully. Much like when our own children follow the Lord, it blesses our heart to see real fruit abounding in their lives. Acts 16:1 tells us that Timothy's mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. This shows us how important it is to have a believing parent in the home. Being married to an unbeliever is no excuse to divorce, because the Bible tells us clearly that you should remain with them as long as they are willing. 1 Corinthians 7:12-14, “But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.”  Timothy's faith was handed down from his grandmother to his mother to him, through the women in his family, showing us the influence that we have as mothers. This is the most important thing you can give your children...a Godly heritage.

Paul reminds Timothy to stir up his gift, rather than submitting to fear. Despite the current situation, Paul wants Timothy to continue the good fight because Jesus is worthy. Paul's imprisonment is not a game changer, and they cannot be persuaded by fear, knowing that God will use even this for His good. Verses 8-12, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings 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 given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason 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 what I have committed to Him until that Day.”  God has a plan that is not limited by our circumstances. To act as though He is, shows our lack of faith in Him.

Finally, Timothy is encouraged to stand fast in the faith, which is a good reminder for us too. Verses 13-14, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.”  We know that the days are evil and Satan is working to draw us away from our faith. Your flesh will be tempted to deviate from the doctrine that accords to godliness, in order to go after your desires for pleasure. I Timothy 6:11, “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”  The love of the world and the things of the world can slowly replace our love for God, if we are not careful. Even gifts from God can become more important as we turn our focus and worship to them. Doctrine is altered to allow people to continue in their love for worldly things without guilt, so that people are even deceived into thinking that they are being spiritual in their pursuit of them. Be on guard! 1 John 2:15, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”