What do we think of suffering? It has been said that “more people have died for their faith in the Twentieth Century than in all of the previous centuries combined.”
We might find this to be far removed from us. Christian gospel suffering can feel a bit far away, and we can be secretly happy about it. Yet this section in 2 Timothy show us how we are to relate to suffering. Paul specifically calls Timothy to share in gospel suffering.
(A) Remember Gospel Suffering (2 Tim 1:15-2:7)
Earlier in the letter, in 2 Timothy 1:8, Paul had already told Timothy to not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord and of Paul, but to share in suffering for the gospel. He is to also follow the pattern of sound words and to guard this good deposit (2 Tim 1:13-14).
Then, Paul turns to give some examples. He speaks of all who are in Asia, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes, who have turned away from Paul (2 Tim 1:15). They are likely ashamed of the suffering that Paul faces, as this chapter has been rife with Paul speaking of how he is not ashamed of the suffering and calls Timothy to do the same. Perhaps they are worried that what happened to Paul would also spill over and affect them.
Notice how Paul doesn’t seem too surprised. He is not happy about it, but he is not surprised. Jesus is not surprised either. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus speaks of the Sower who sows seeds that land on different soils. Seeds sown on rocky ground are those that hear the word and immediately receive it with joy, but has no root and when tribulation arises, fall away (Matt 13:5-6). Paul presents a similar reality. there are those that seem like they are with you, but fall away when suffering and difficulties arise.
In contrast, there is Onesiphorus (2 Tim 1:16). Paul says that he often refreshed Paul, who was imprisoned. Onesiphorus cared for and provided for Paul’s physical needs when he needed it. This regular faithfulness and service was also known by those in Ephesus (2 Tim 1:18), and he also showed it to Paul in Rome.
What did Paul desire for the Lord to grant Onesiphorus on that Day (2 Tim 1:17)? Paul speaks of him receiving mercy. Christians are to recognise that the good deeds that we do are not to earn our place before God. We are all debtors in our sin before a holy God and we can only stand before Him because He shows us mercy. Those who are poor in spirit, cry out to God for mercy, and will receive it on the Day of the Lord Jesu Christ when He returns.
This heart makes us ready to share in gospel suffering.
Timothy is to respond in two ways to the above examples. Firstly, he is to be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus and secondly, to entrust all that he has heard to faithful men who will be abe to teach others also (2 Tim 2:1-2). So, what do they mean?
Let’s unpack the phrase, “be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus”. It speaks of the strengthening of the inside, the inner life. What will it look like to train yourself in godliness? He is to think about how his efforts are fueled and find their foundation in Christ Jesus. Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead, and there is mercy for all who trust in Jesus.
What would this also mean for the outer life?
This leads us to the second phrase, “what you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also”. The earlier part of this phrase is similar to the earlier command to follow the pattern of the sound words that Timothy has heard from Paul. It is also likely that Paul is speaking of the category of overseers in 1 Timothy. Thus, Paul is calling Timothy to search out other men who are able to teach, and entrust the gospel to them. He is to be clear about who they are, teach them, build them, and pour his life into them, just as Paul did, in order to guard the good deposit. They are also to be faithful men.
Hear these words and go to church on Sunday to look for faithful men that you can encourage. What kind of qualities do you look out for? Remember faithfulness. Do you know what it looks like? Do you treasure this loyalty to God that is uncompromising? Do you know such faithful, dependable men? This is important because of what comes next.
In 2 Timothy 2:3-7, Paul’s key exhortation to them is to “share in suffering”. Paul calls Timothy to share in suffering. This suffering is assumed. But how do Christians today share in gospel suffering? If we look at the instructions Paul puts here, he teaches us that it will happen if we keep our mind on God’s word and in following the pattern of sound words.
He also uses 3 metaphors to emphasise this. The first is that of a soldier (2 Tim 2:4). He is to endure suffering and hardship, and is not entangled in civilian pursuits. He is to remain focused, devoted, and live with clarity There is a clear separation between the identity of a soldier and civilian.
The soldier is also clear about who he is under, and that shapes the goal of his work. He aims to please his superior, the one who enlisted him.
The second metaphor is that of an athlete (2 Tim 2:5). He is mindful of the rules as he competes. This means that he needs to know the rules of the game! In John 15:18-20, we see how suffering is expected. Christians look to Christ, who has borne all of God’s judgment and wrath for our sake,
The athlete’s goal is also clear — he seeks a crown. He is hardworking as he desires for the crop/harvest at the end.
The third metaphor is that of a farmer (2 Tim 2:6). He is hardworking and works in anticipation of the harvest. We are also reminded in Luke 10:2 that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Thus, if we put these together, we see that we are to work hard to guard the good deposit, and be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ, seeking to compete by the rules of this game, even in the midst of suffering. We see how they all endure, wait, work for a specific goal.
If we are clear about who we belong to, seek to live by the gospel, increasingly in our lives, we will realise that we are not of the world. The things the world laughs at, we may not. The things that people do to advance in the world, the corners they cut, the white lies they are willing to compromise one, we resolve not to. It will look like not being ashamed of the gospel.
Perhaps it looks like sharing the gospel with those you know or are close to. What does it mean to share gospel suffering in those situations? Maybe it will incur a certain degree of shame, but maybe not. But think of Onesiphorus — what will it look like to intentionally go out and share in the suffering of another?
Do you know gospel sufferers? They are around us. Ask the Lord to lead us to them, help us as we meditate on the work of Christ, and seek to share in gospel suffering with them.
(B) Remember Jesus Christ (2 Tim 2:8-13)
Paul tells Timothy to “remember Jesus Christ” (2 Tim 1:8). He is to stay his mind on Christ! And there are specific things that he is to remember (c.f. 2 Timothy 1). Paul specifically speaks of Christ as one who is risen from the dead. His resurrection means that He is victorious and vindicated. Death could not hold Him and He is the firstfruits of all who have placed their faith in Him, for we will all share in a resurrection like His. Consider your suffering in this light! Is there anything that resurrection can’t fix?
He is to also remember Him as the offspring of David. He rules as one who rules with godly authority, like rain that falls on the earth and causes plants to grow. He is the long anticipated offspring of David who comes to lead His people in the fear of the Lord. Remember this Jesus. Is your heart shaken by the tremors of earthly powers? Look to this Jesus who is the King of Kings.
This is the Jesus that Paul preached in his gospel, for which he is suffering and bound with chains as a criminal. However, Paul isn’t just drawing attention to himself and his circumstances. He’s drawing a contrast to what remains unbound: the word of God (2 Tim 2:9-10)! Paul contrasts the poverty of his circumstances with the power of God’s word, so that Timothy would have hope. Paul knows that his end is near but he is confident that God’s word is not bound. As surely as Jesus Christ is risen and reigning, so can we be confident that God’s Spirit is at work to bring His Word forth and accomplish all that He purposes.
Does your heart need to hear this today? Whatever the circumstances and limitations you might face tonight, hear these words. Whether poverty or persecution, sickness or God’s word is not bound. The risen Jesus Christ, the offspring of David, will bring it to fruition. Not a single moment spent living for this gospel will go to waste. There are many things in our life that will return to us empty. But God’s Word is not one of them.
What would otherwise be torturous is now a light and momentary in light of this eternal weight of glory. There is a salvation, and a forever salvation that is in Christ Jesus that issues forth in this glory (2 Tim 2:10). God has set eternity in the hearts of man, and it would do us good to recognise that Christ alone has won our eternity.
Paul closes this section with blessings: “If we have died with him, we will also live with him” and “if we endure, we will also reign with him” (2 Tim 2:11-12a).
We are promised more than what we know and experience on earth. All the goodness that we see in cultivating work, building one another up, exercising God’s authority for flourishing — we will share in all these!
Yet, with the blessings come a warning too — “if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself” (2 Tim 2:12b-13). Paul warns us too, that if we consistently live a life that is devoid of gospel suffering, He cannot deny Himself and will act accordingly to His holy character.
Friends, do you know the pain of seeing a fellow brother/sister/leader fall away? While there is a stern warning here, there is also a measure of assurance. God is faithful to Himself and to His plans to redeem our fallen creation. There may be those who fall away through a lifetime of unfaithfulness, but God’s purpose remains sure – He is faithful to Himself, and He will bring to completion what He began in Christ.
Have you seen what it is like to share in gospel suffering? What might it look like in your life?
Do you regularly remember the resurrection and Kingship of Christ when you think of the gospel? What difference would it make?
What is God saying to you today?