Join with me in suffering for the Gospel (2 Tim 1)

2 Tim 1:1-18
2 Tim 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.

Introduction: The situation of Paul and the ministry in Ephesus where Timothy served as the A pastor was much different from those of the first letter.  Paul was put in prison in Rome the second time and knew that he would die soon by execution. By this time, many have deserted Paul and he was lonely and helpless. Also, Timothy in Ephesus was somewhat going through a tough time in holding the ministry together. It is believed that as Paul was executed after the great fire in Rome, which Nero blamed Christians and was used as a rationale to embark great persecution of Christians.  So, near the time of his death, there was intense persecution of Christians and most of the believers deserted Paul in Roman Prison and Timothy in Ephesus also was going through a tough time in keeping up with his ministry as the persecution intensified. Simply we may say that the power of death came upon the Christians heavily and systematically. The believers were on the edge of life and death, and their faith was tested up to the limit of their ability to tolerate.

In such a situation, the life of believers hangs on one issue, suffering and death, how they were to view and handle them. To this end, Paul urged Timothy to join with him in his suffering, a daring challenge in love and a powerful force of the truth of the Gospel. 

Though we are not in such a dire condition whereby we have to choose life or death in order to sustain our life on the earth, it is coming and it will be coming sooner than we might expect. We are to live by such commitment to the truth of the Gospel even now so as for us be able to stand firm when it really falls on our feet.

1.      Paul an apostle of Christ by the will of God and with the promise of life (1-2)

Paul greeted Timothy more personally than he was before in his first letter. He was an apostle of Christ by God’s will according to His promise of life. Now Paul is in prison and is about to be executed. His situation looks grim and most pitiful. Beyond his pathetic reality, he sees his current predicament to be a part of God’s will to reveal life in the Gospel. It is unorthodox and even too strange to see one’s life in such a way unless one’s mind is well attuned to the truth of the cross of Jesus. But in this view, he was spearheaded and was unwilling to waver this way of life. So, he introduced himself to Timothy, the beloved fellow worker and son in faith as the possessor of God’s will and his promise of life. By doing so, at the outset of his letter, he is forcing Timothy to see Paul’s life in suffering in view of God’s will and the life that Jesus imparted to his followers.

What are our walks in life? We can question to ourselves: Is what I doing a part of God’s will? Is it a part of the Gospel of life? As we go through Paul’s compelling advice for Timothy, I pray that we may stand in courage and boldness as we tune our lives along with the truth of the Gospel of life and God’s will in it.

Paul’s view of his life was not in any ideas of the world; it is not anchored in immediate demands by the predicament of the current reality. It is anchored in God the creator and His will expressed in his promise. All other anchors will surely fail in time of testing and trials that challenges and unearth the things of the depth of one’s heart. God’s will have one focus, the life in Him. So, our will and decisions must be framed by these two unchanging foundations of the world that God has set from the beginning of creation. 

At this time, Timothy was going through many difficulties in his ministry at Ephesus. He called Timothy ‘dear son’ and prayed that God might give him grace, mercy, and peace. Grace and peace are used often in greetings. But calling for God’s mercy is not as frequent. God’s mercy is called for those who are going through a very hard time, mostly suffering. So, when Paul called for God’s mercy to Timothy, he was praying that God in His mercy may alleviate Timothy from much suffering. In this way, Paul showed Timothy a deep love and empathy for him while he himself was in much more suffering and gave a powerful reason for him to rise up in joy.

2.      Fan into the flame the gift of God (3-7)

Prayer is the time of one’s seeking God’s will. So this is the time when one’s mind is pure and godly and well attuned to the will of God. He prayed with a clear conscience day and night in seeking God’s will for his life. In these prayers, he remembered Timothy; his concern for Timothy and his ministry was always a primes agenda for his prayer. In a search for God’s will and His purpose as he engaged in prayer for Tim and his ministry, two things came up; first Paul remembered his tears. One of those occasions might be when Paul was about to leave at the end of the third mission journey, having finished his work in Ephesus. He knew that trouble was waiting for him in Jerusalem, which possibly would lead him to prison or to death. There many coworkers in Macedonia and Ephesus cried as he was departing to Jerusalem. When one cries, there is a truth in his heart. Tim cried for Paul and showed his genuine love for Paul. That love was genuine and was of the truth. Paul remembered his tears of love and truth.

Also, Paul remembered the faith that was in his grandmom and in his mother Eunice. Paul, as well as Timothy, was facing a very turbulent time as Nero began to persecute believers. It is reasonably certain that Paul was executed sometime between the fire in Rome (AD64) and the last year of Nero’s reign (AD68), the worst time for Christians by Nero’s persecution.  How was Timothy doing through this turbulent time? It concerned Paul a great deal. Out of this concern, Paul used the word ‘endure’ five times in this single letter and hardship three times.  He warned Timothy of the terrible times in the last days (3:1-5). In other words, Paul concerned and worried Timothy’s wellbeing as the minister of the Ephesian church. “Is he doing well as a soldier of Christ?” After so much worrisome concern, Paul became convinced of this:

 I am persuaded, now lives in you also. (6b)

No matter how terrible time Timothy was going through, one thing matters; if he stands firm in faith or not. Paul was convinced without any doubt that Timothy shall stand firm in faith. The faith, that was resilient and enduring is also living in the heart of Timothy. No matter how tough time he was going through and is downhearted now, it is resounding yes, that the faith is living, with an undying and resilient spirit. Out of this conviction, Paul moves forward with a brave command to Timothy:

6 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.

Paul did not mention what the gift of God is. But the salvation is often referred to as the gift of God. Also, the gift of God comes with/by the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit). Whatever the gift it was, this came upon Timothy when Paul laid his hands on him as he was about to take him along for the second missionary journey. Timothy used that gift for many years until this time.  Paul wanted him to fan that gift into flame. The flame is the imagery of raging fire that burns up things. What was the flame to do? Paul in his letter to Corinth used similar imagery of fire.

1 Corinthians 3:13 their work will be shown for what it is because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames. 16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? (1Co 3 NIV)

Flames of fire are to test the quality of each persons’ work. This gift is of the spirit that God gave to him. When it remains just like a seed of fire, it has little power to influence others. But when it becomes a flame, it has consuming power to burn all ungodly and unholy things of men. In other words, instead of keeping the seed of God’s truth, whether it is of the truth of salvation or judgment, he is to make it ignited into a flame enough to burn all ungodly thoughts and beliefs of men. Such imagery use of flame is found in Heb 1.

Heb 1: 7 In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.

If God sent an angel to make his servants flames of fire, how much more He would do through the gift given through His son Jesus!

First, this is to offset and thwart the forces of death at the end of ages. Fire from the Lord will make things clear if it is a genuine one or not. In the last days, man will do anything to keep their life. If the situation then was similar to the last days, as Paul noted in ch 3:1-5, and the entire Christian community was under great stress because of intense persecutions, Paul’s command to fan into flame is to generate power to an offense such ostensible power of the world. Furthermore, that flame will either purify the righteous or burn up the chaff. Simply it is an answer to the question of how we believers can cope with such intense persecutions.  

What is the nature of that flame? Or, when the Holy Spirit gave us that gift, what did it come with?

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

We have various gifts from the Lord. It always comes along with the Holy Spirit as He did when we met Christ first time. We are to fan into flame the gift, that came along with the spirit of power, love, and self-discipline: the power that is unyielding to all kinds of threat to our lives, the power in love that overcomes even the power of death and cares for genuine wellbeing of each in God’s perspective, and the power in self-discipline to reveal and express these two without any unhinged emotions and with certainty in hope of victory.

In this gift, there is no trace of timidity or cowardness. Often it is understood that Timothy had “timidity” denoting a certain character. This is to blame a certain kind of character particular. Paul was not calling for a change of Timothy’s character. The proper meaning (δειλίας, deilias) is more of a coward. “Coward” is not a description of a character but an attitude toward various threats to life. We all have some fear for our lives through some courageous may overcome such fear. There is no warrior against imminent threats of death.  Such fear is among all born of flesh when one faces the threat to life. But the spirit that God gave us does not make us a coward for in the spirit is the power to overcome the power of death and is filled with love and hope beyond death. We are to acknowledge that that gift is with us. We are to use it and we are to fan into it with great enthusiasm and eager zeal.

Nero’s persecution was a fearful one. It came out of ‘evil spirit’ and had unleashed its brutal and savage persecutions. But these were no match to the fiery flame of the gift that God has to Timothy. That power was contained and expressed in love and self-discipline.

Romans 12:20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

In this way, the power of love and discipline overcomes the power of death.

We have the gift from the Lord that came along with the Holy Spirit when we met Christ first time. We are to fan into flame the gift; that came along with the spirit of power, love and self-discipline: the power that is unyielding to all kinds of threat to our lives, the power in love that overcomes even the power of death and cares for genuine wellbeing of each in God’s perspective, and the power in self-discipline to reveal and express these two without any unhinged emotions and with a certainty in hope of victory.    

Jesus made his servant a fire for many people. In the early 18^th century, George Whitefield, John Wesley and Jonathan Edwards (“Sinners in the hands of Angry God”) gave fiery messages to millions of people in the US and England. Hearts of many were burned by the fire of the word of the Gospel and were purified. This happened 2^nd awakening (early 19^th century) and third awakening (20 century) in the US. A seed of fire is in each of us for we all received the salvation along with the Holy Spirit. When we fan into flame the gift that God gave us, then we will have the power to overcome the power of death that the world lays upon us and forces us to give into that power.

How one can begin to fan into flame the gift of God?

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.

First, he is to change his attitude and understanding of sufferings under persecutions.  Jesus suffered the cross and Paul is now suffering in prison. Even his life is sealed to execution. Our body rejects pain and suffering from all its force. In the US, last few years, there were so many additions to narcotics and many died of its overdose. It betrays the fact that the nation is going through much suffering and pain. Many are struggling to alleviate pains in life. This suffering is not just physical but also spiritual in nature. Betrayal, rejection, and distrust are the source of pain. The truth that we shared together, and the love that we shared are thrown into trash by rejection and betrayal; it is a pain and anguish in our hearts. These shall not force us to quench the flame of life in the Gospel. Instead, we are to change our perspective on those pains and make a change in our attitude toward those pains. It is the place of renewal of our joy in hope, and to reignite the flame of the fire in the Gospel.  More so, we are to fan into flame the fire in the Gospel, that is loaded with the power of undying love and discipline.  

Second, the suffering of God’s servant embodies the essential power of the message of the Gospel.

 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

By God’s own purpose and grace, God revealed through the appearing of our Savior Jesus. In this appearing, there was great suffering reaching to death. We cannot think of the cross apart from suffering. In and through this suffering, God demonstrated His power over death and His will to give life. So, we are to transform our view on all the sufferings in life, including the suffering that comes from persecutions. How do we see and confront sufferings? We must dare to go through as the way of life or the way to life. If we do so, then suffering is not anymore a hindrance for our life but a catalyst to fan into flame into the gift of God. We can handle all kinds of pain for God has given us the power; in this power, we can go through pains in love and self-disciple. We can go through all kinds of pain with a smile and collective mind and spirit. We are not unsettled and not perturbed, not insecure. Rather in us is the flames of the Gift of God in and of the Gospel of Jesus. It not only purifies us but also burn all ungodly forces of this world. By the message, “sinners in the hands of an angry God” by Jonathan Edward, the hearts of thousands of people were seared by the flames of the Holy Spirit. The message of the Gospel is pounding on the hearts of many even now. The seed of that fire is in each of us. We must, ought to fan it into flame.

Third, God’s grace is the power in flame

9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior

It is God’s grace given in Christ for sinners. It was from or even before the beginning of the time and has been revealed in Chris Jesus. This grace is starkly displayed in Christ, his suffering on the cross and His death for us sinners. He appeared and caught our attention, the attention of many sinners like us. In other words, suffering and death are an integral part of speaking that ‘grace’.  What does this flame bring to us?

our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (10ab)

Fourth, the flame is of LIFE and IMMORTALITY! This is the flame! The grace is through suffering and death; that enlighten us to the light of life and immortality. Who could fathom such truth and power that appeared in suffering and death? The world was totally unaware of this, in oblivious to this truth, and even become hostile to this truth. How did God convey this truth?

 11 And of this gospel, I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.

Paul denotes his role in these three ways; a herald and an apostle and a teacher. A herald is an officer with the status of ambassador acting as an official messenger between leaders especially in war. By calling himself a herald, he considered himself to be the carrier the message of the Lord, King of the world with authority and power of the king to negotiate with the enemy. An apostle is a man sent by God with a mission. Paul claims that God is the source of his message; his life as a whole contains the message of God including his suffering. Third, he called himself a teacher. A teacher is to teach students who are totally ignorant of the message; a teacher must be kind and gentle for the students are novices of the subject, the salvation for the world. He must make all our effort to make his student understand this truth, not only by didactic teaching in love but also by life an the example. Suffering is one of the essential subjects of that teaching material and must be conveyed to his students! Now, he concludes;  

12 That is why I am suffering as I am.

How can the message of salvation that is deeply embedded in human suffering be conveyed to the people of the world that never think that pain and suffering are the sources of joy, life, and peace? It is alien to the mind of the world and even hostile to the truths of the world. The first runner of this message will have a hard time. And yet he must overcome the knowledge of this world solidified in pleasure and sinful enjoyment. He must teach the world to see life and truth in the cross of Jesus. Since this is the only truth for life, he cannot alter it or deliver it in a distorted form. It must be strong enough to overcome, to move and to destroy stalwarts of this world.  So suffering is the locus of the powerful revelation of the truth for life. It was in Jesus and it was in Stephen. Now it is seen in the life of Paul as he was in a dungeon of prison in Rome waiting for an execution.

Also, we are to admit that unless we carry it in real life sufferings, the message is hard to come by for the hearts of those whose mind is so much infatuated by the pleasure of this world. Jesus’ suffering spoke powerfully and wonderfully of the truth for life as we know by heart. Our daring steps along with him in his suffering will make the message of life alive even in such a situation where death overwhelms the hearts of many.

We are to change our attitude toward pains and sufferings in our walk with Christ and we should not stop to fan into flame the gift that God has given to us.

Nowadays, in the US, the stalwart of materialism, agnostic existentialism, and self-serving narcissistic liberalism think that they have the helm of this nation. They come out with a great force daring to enforce their way of thinking on every one of this nation.  The challenge looks formidable. But this is no match to the power that God has vested on us through the Holy Spirit in the Gospel truth. We are to fan into flame the gifts given us in Christ.

3.      Keep the Gospel truth as the patter of sound teaching (13- 14)

Paul talked about the essence of the Gospel in v 9-10. Now, he teaches how Timothy could put this Gospel into power to combat against so many variable forces of the world.  

13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

First the Gospel provides the pattern to diffuse all the powers of the world. A pattern is a module that is set in shape and form to produce many variable products.  The pattern has a few notches:

a.       God saved us in Christ, his suffering on the cross and his resurrection from the dead

b.      He did this because of his own purpose and his grace.

c.       In Christ, he destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light.

d.      This is the eternal truth that God had and had planned from the beginning of the time and revealed through sending Jesus.

These are the key turning points of the pattern of the Gospel that Paul mentioned in v9-10. There are so many different situations where men are trapped in the power of death. Whether it is of agnostic ideas, materialism, or liberalism, or it is from the educated physicist, politician, a mind infatuated with astronomy, and biologists, these four are the notches of the pattern can be applied to every man and woman. How powerful and amazing it is that we can refute and can carry the power of God to these people by knowing and believing and standing on this pattern of the Gospel. As long as we keep this pattern, there won’t be any forces or knowledge that we cannot refute or defeat. The richness of the power of the Gospel is here for it is the truth that embodies the power of God Almighty. Also, along with this pattern, God works with us through the Holy Spirit.

Paul was in prison; standing alone without any help. He had to stand alone before Roman judges being surrounded by hostile and unbelieving forces. Yet, he shall be confident for this Gospel is the truth that transcends the time for in it is the will of God the father, the creator of heaven and earth. Timothy must not be afraid or coward; Instead, he must be proud of Paul who is stand with Jesus in His suffering. Also, because in this suffering is the life that leads us to eternity with the Lord.  Paul encouraged Timothy and today, his word encourages us as well.