Note 9 at 2 Tim. 1:8: The word "therefore" links Paul's statements in verse eight with what he said Christ had given Timothy in the seventh verse (see note 2 at Gal. 5:1, p. 1078). The Lord would never tell us to not be ashamed without giving us the power to do it; therefore, Paul's instructions to not be ashamed were not unreasonable. God had given Timothy everything it took to accomplish it.

Likewise, God has given every believer today, this same spirit of "power, and of love and of a sound mind." We have what it takes to be effective witnesses. We just need to believe and act according to these promises.

Note 10 at 2 Tim. 1:8: In the day in which Paul was writing this letter to Timothy, it was dangerous to be a Christian. There was open persecution against the believers, not only from Rome, but also from the Jews. Many Christians were beaten, several imprisoned and some paid with their lives. There was good reason for Paul to admonish Timothy not to succumb to fear.

In this verse, Paul instructs Timothy not to be ashamed of the Gospel or of associating with those who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ. This shows that shame or timidness in the face of persecution is also fear.

There are still many believers who are being persecuted today, even to the point of death, for their faith in Christ. In the Western world, physical persecution is rare; however, there is an anti-Christ spirit of rejection towards believers worldwide. Shame in the face of that opposition would come under what Paul is warning Timothy against.

We have been given the spirit of "power, and of love, and of a sound mind" so we can overcome the fear that the devil tries to use to stop us from being effective witnesses for Christ.

Note 11 at 2 Tim. 1:8: There are some people who try to separate love for God from love for fellow believers. Jesus said we couldn't do that. If we love God, we will love those He sends (Mt. 10:40). The Apostle John said, "He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen (1 Jn. 4:20)?"

Paul is making the same point. He admonished Timothy to not only be faithful to God, but to him, even though he was in prison and it might cost Timothy to proclaim him as his friend. Likewise, we should not only bear the reproach of Christ, but also that of our friends who are suffering for godly reasons.

Note 12 at 2 Tim. 1:8: Paul was in prison in Rome at the time of this writing. Yet he didn't identify himself as a prisoner of Rome, but rather a prisoner of Christ (see note 1 at Eph. 3:1, p. 1108). Rome wasn't his master-Christ was.

Note 13 at 2 Tim. 1:8: Timothy was suffering persecution. Paul reminded him that the Lord had given him power, love, and a sound mind (v. 7), which would cause him to overcome any fear of personal loss through persecution. Then Paul cites his own imprisonment. This no doubt was meant to challenge Timothy. Paul was in prison for his faith, and he was still faithful to the Lord. If Paul could do it, so could Timothy.

Note 14 at 2 Tim. 1:8: All those who live godly will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). That doesn't mean they will take it gracefully. Paul is admonishing Timothy to draw on God's power within him to take his persecution in a way that will bring glory to God. That can only happen as we deny ourselves and let Christ live through us.