2 Timothy 1: Don't Be Ashamed, Don't Be Afraid

2 Timothy 1: Don't Be Ashamed, Don't Be Afraid

Don't be ashamed, don't be afraid.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

◇ 2 Timothy is a letter from Paul, imprisoned in Rome, to his beloved son and co-worker, Timothy. It reads like a last will and testament, written in the face of an uncertain future. It is a letter overflowing with love, faith, concern, worry, hope, and expectation for Timothy.

Paul reminds Timothy of his ordination, of what happened when he received the laying on of hands (1 Timothy 4:14), of the gift he received and the prophecy spoken over him.

Paul's purpose in recalling this moment likely goes beyond simple reminiscing. By reminding Timothy of the gift and prophecy he received when he was ordained by the elders, Paul seeks to empower him to overcome his fear.

Timothy's fear stems from the situation of his beloved mentor and role model, Paul. Paul, the man who fearlessly spread the Gospel throughout Asia Minor, the man who faced persecution and hardship with joy, thanksgiving, and unwavering hope, is now imprisoned. His future is uncertain, his life potentially in danger. Paul, sensing Timothy's worry, fear, and anxiety, seeks to comfort and encourage him, urging him to continue running the race of faith.

God, Paul reminds Timothy, has not given us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. He urges Timothy not to be ashamed of him, a prisoner for the Gospel, but rather to join him in suffering for the Gospel, empowered by God.

Paul's message to Timothy, a message that resonates like a final charge, is this: "Do not fear imprisonment. Rely on the gift of God, on the Holy Spirit, and with power, love, and self-discipline, live for the Gospel."

Paul's words to Timothy resonate deeply with me. I reflect on my own ordination, on the grace and gifts God bestowed upon me. I feel as though He is speaking directly to me, urging me to cast off the shame and fear that grip me in the face of current challenges. For the Gospel!

♧ Gracious God, thank you for revealing the source of my recurring headaches. Help me to cut away the burdens that weigh me down and to run with perseverance the race marked out for me. Holy Spirit, guide me in truth. Amen.