As
Paul the apostle continued to give his final instructions to Timothy,
he told him to “stir up the gift of God” which was in him because
“God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love
and of a sound mind”. In chapter one and verse eight of this second
and final letter to Timothy, Paul tells him not to be “ashamed of
the testimony of our Lord” but to “be partaker of the afflictions
of the gospel” where we read:
Be
not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his
prisoner: but be partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according
to the power of God;
The verse begins, “Be
not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his
prisoner:” Because God has given to us “power, love and a sound
mind” rather than “the spirit of fear”, Paul exhorted Timothy,
“Be not therefore ashamed” which in the Greek is “epaischynomai
oun epaischynomai” and concludes
that Timothy was not to
“feel shame for, be embarrassed about, have disgrace over, be with
ignominy over, dishonor or have misfortune concerning” “the
testimony” or “evidence and witness” “of our Lord” which
refers to “the Messiah Jesus Christ”. Paul added, “nor of me”
writing concerning himself, “his prisoner” which means “one who
is bound, in bonds and a captive”. Paul the apostle was in a prison
in Rome when these words were written, and not only was he captive
there, but he was also captured by the love of Jesus Christ.
The
verse continues, “but be partaker of the afflictions of the gospel
according to the power of God;” Rather than be “ashamed of the
testimony of our Lord”, Paul encouraged Timothy, “but” which is
the disassociation conjunction which tells us what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just written, “be partaker
of the afflictions” which is all one Greek word “sygkakopatheō”
and means “to suffer hardship together with one” “of the
gospel” or “good tidings or news of the kingdom of God soon to be
set up and subsequently also of Jesus the Messiah, the founder of
this kingdom” “according to” or “down from, throughout,
toward and along” “the power of God” which is “the strength
and ability of the Godhead, trinity which consists of God the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. Timothy was to “suffer hardship”
for the gospel of Jesus Christ if he encountered it rather than
being timid, afraid and embarrassed about the message of the Kingdom
of God.
While
we think upon these words from Paul, perhaps we have been challenged
to examine our own lives. Are we more inclined to be “fearful and
afraid” when we have opportunity to “be partakers of the
afflictions of the gospel”, or are we bold to speak or live
“according to the power of God”? Paul's challenge to Timothy came
because there was a tendency for Timothy to be afraid, and rather
than use his “gift of God” which might cause “afflictions”
such as Paul's imprisonment, Timothy would hide or conceal it rather
than use it. Paul's desire for Timothy is the same for us today. Let
us take the time to meditate upon the “gifts” that God has given
us, and determine whether or not we are inclined to flee
“afflictions” rather than use them for His Kingdom. Our question
is, “Are we are willing to be emboldened to share the gospel of
Jesus Christ regardless of the consequences and “afflictions” we
suffer for doing so?”
Next
time Paul tells Timothy the reason Jesus “saved” and “called”
us, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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