2 Timothy 1:8 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.
Paul makes several references to suffering in the pastoral letters and here he comes back to the subject once again. He himself is in prison but he does not want Timothy to be ashamed of him (as Onesiphorus was not) or of the testimony about our Lord that has led to him suffering in this way. Perhaps he has the saying in Mark 8:38 in mind (If anyone is ashamed of me ... see also 2 Timothy 2:12). Rather, he says he wants Timothy to join with me in suffering for the gospel .... (see 2 Timothy 2:3 for the only other instance of this wording in the New Testament). Paul is very demanding then, as is the gospel itself. However, it is by the power of God that Paul is doing what he does and that is how he expects Timothy to proceed to. Most ministers do not end up in prison even for the testimony about our Lord but there must be a willingness to join in the suffering for the gospel that so many have known down the ages. This is possible for us by the power of God.
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