NEVER BE ASHAMED

II Timothy 1:8-12

(September 15, 2025)     

     There were many negative things happening to faithful believers in A.D. 67. The Roman world considered the Christians to be dishonorable, disgusting and disgraceful. Nero had blamed Christians for setting Rome on fire. 

     What Paul was doing was proclaiming that any who would believe in Jesus Christ would be saved from all sin. It is quite evident from this epistle that the negative things happening to Paul’s life were not only causing some people to be ashamed of Paul, but to actually abandon Paul (II Timothy 4:10 “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”).

     Paul did not want that happening to Timothy so what Paul says is this:

NO MATTER HOW NEGATIVE THINGS MAY BECOME AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD OR THE WORK OF GOD, BELIEVERS SHOULD NEVER BE ASHAMED OF THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFULLY COMMUNICATING GOD’S WORD AND SUFFERING FOR IT. 

     That is what Paul wanted Timothy to do in regard to Paul. 

     Now this passage is simple to dissect into two simple parts:

I – EXHORTATION NOT TO BE ASHAMED – v.8

II Timothy 1:8 “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;”

     The word “therefore” in this context refers to the divinely bestowed gift and resources Paul has just mentioned.

     The word “therefore” indicates that this instruction is based on and follows out of the preceding statement of incentive regarding the power, love and discipline God has given us…in light of those immeasurable blessings, Paul was saying, “you have no reason to be ashamed.” Timothy had a every reason to stand against any opponents, unashamed of the gospel, and unashamed of Paul’s imprisoned mentor.      

     The word “ashamed” in Greek “epaischunomai” means to experience a painful feeling or sense of loss of status because of some particular event or activity. It describes one's consciousness of guilt or of exposure or the fear of embarrassment that the expectations of someone may prove false. 

     Paul was not telling Timothy to stop being ashamed as if Timothy already was ashamed.

     Here Paul uses the aorist subjunctive with the negative which forbids the doing of an act not yet begun. So, Paul is saying do not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ.

     Paul then encourages or exhorts Timothy with his example, explaining that of he had been appointed as a preacher and an apostle and a teacher of the gospel.

II Timothy 1:12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

     Paul goes on to give the example of Onesiphorus in order to encourage Timothy.

II Timothy 1:16-17 “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: ¹⁷ But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.”

     Timothy had surely heard this admonition before, for in Paul's first missionary journey through Timothy's hometown he had declared

Acts 14:21,22 “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, ²² Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

     Remember that at the time this letter was written, that being a Christian not only brought almost universal criticism but frequently persecution, imprisonment and even death.

     In verse 8 there are three simple exhortations that Paul gives to Timothy:

II Timothy 1:8a “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,;”

     The word “testimony” in Greek “marturion” is the source of English “martyr” means evidence, proof.

In later centuries (after the first century AD) “marturion” came to be used as a description of martyrdom.

The word originally referred to one who was a legal witness but came to refer to one whose testimony for Jesus ends in death.     

     Testimony (marturion) is essentially synonymous with the Gospel in several Scriptures 

1 Corinthians 2:1 = "testimony of God" 

1 Corinthains 1:6 = "testimony concerning Christ,"             

2 Timothy 1:8 = "the testimony of our Lord"  

1 Timothy 2:6 = "the testimony given at the proper time" (NASB, ESV)  

     Again, it says in I Timothy 2:6 “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” 

In context more specifically this refers to the atoning work of Christ, which is critical component of the Gospel.

     Then it says in Acts 4:33 “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” 

In context specifically this refers to the resurrection of Christ, which is critical component of the Gospel.

The phrase “witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” is rendered “testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” NASB, ESV.         

That message of what Jesus Christ did on that cross is the greatest message that has ever come into this universe.

     Luke records the beginning of the spread of the gospel from the first church in Jerusalem writing that…

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

     Perhaps it is time for all of us to do a little introspection in view of this text and make certain we are not ashamed.

II Timothy 1:8b “nor of me his prisoner:”

     Paul was imprisoned for righteousness and not because he done wickedness.

     Peter wrote that Christian suffering for righteousness glorifies God but those who suffers for wickedness demeans God.

I Peter 4:15-16 “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. ¹⁶ Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”

     Paul was suffering for righteousness and Paul did want Timothy to be ashamed of Paul’s suffering in jail.

     Paul was suffering in jail treated as an accused criminal but Paul was a truly dedicated preacher of God and devoted to the Word of God and work of God.

II Timothy 2:9 “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.”

     In fact, Paul will specifically ask Timothy to come and visit him in jail.

II Timothy 1:4 “Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;”

II Timothy 4:9, 21 “Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: ²¹ Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.”

Paul knew that if Timothy visited him, that would put Timothy in a precarious situation because Paul knew that loyalty to him meant Timothy could also be viewed as a criminal.

Paul had not done anything evil or wickedness, he had not done anything shameful or disgraceful. Paul was suffering for boldly preaching the precious Word of God.

     We should never be ashamed of those faithfully teaching the Word of God.

Don’t be ashamed of one who is preaching and teaching the Word of God. Stand up and defend that.

ILLUSTRATION: I was being attacked by a drunk man with a gun during my Bible study held in a Nipa hut at Navotas, Metro Manila. I thought to myself, that was the end of my life. Besides, as we knock door to door, a man shouted at me and almost beat me by a steel rod only just because I am giving gospel tract at him. Also, at a certain fish port in Navotas, Metro Manila, when I give gospel tract to a man sitting, the man did not say thank you but tear off the tract into several pieces and thrown it up to my face.

II Timothy 1:8c “but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;”

     Paul is not challenging Timothy to go on some personal suffering.

     What Paul is challenging Timothy to do is not back away from standing up for Paul and for the God’ Word and for the gospel of grace.

     Paul wanted believers to stand up and defend the grace that opposes every religion that emphasizes salvation by works.

     Every believer should first know the Gospel and then be willing to participate in the work of God by sharing the gospel even if it means to suffer and died for Christ.

     That is why Paul wrote Timothy that if we live godly, we will suffer with Christ (II Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”)

     And if we endure suffering with Christ we shall also reign with Christ (II Timothy 2:12 “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:”).

     We must not forget that the suffering referred here is suffering for the Gospel’s sake. 

ILLUSTRATION OF SUFFERING FOR THE GOSPEL:

Early in the morning on January 23, 1999, a group of about sixty Hindu fundamentalists shattered the windows of Graham Staines’s jeep. Graham, longtime director of a leprosy mission in India, and his sons, Philip and Timothy, were participating in a Bible conference in the village Monoharpur. After breaking the windows, the fanatics poured gasoline over the vehicle and set it on fire. Graham and his sons died, though not instantly, as many heard screams coming from the blaze. Days later, Graham’s wife, Gladys, made a public statement forgiving the murderers of her husband and sons. She also expressed hope that the guilty individuals would be touched by the love of Christ. India was stunned by her spirit of forgiveness, as well as her commitment to stay on and direct the mission. Gladys has this advice for future missionaries: “Make very sure of your call from God and, once you’re sure of it, be very prepared for whatever, even if it costs your life.” The strength, love, and commitment of the Staines family teach us much about a godly response to suffering.

II – REASONS NOT TO BE ASHAMED – v.8-12

     Here in our passage, we see Paul has just challenged Timothy to be willing to suffer for the cause of Christ not be ashamed.

Five reasons why Timothy should not be ashamed and willing to suffer Christ’s sake and for the gospel:

II Timothy 1:8 “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;”

     The word “power” in Greek “dunamis” of God

     The power of God enables us to suffer hardship and affliction for the gospel.

     God gives us power in Christ Jesus and the Spirit who indwells us. It is an ability which gives us the potential to carry out whatever God calls us to do, including to suffer.

     Remember that we have the Holy Spirit in us (verse 14)

II Timothy 1:14 “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”

     Since the Holy Spirit is in us that means we have all the power we need to not be ashamed.

     If we refuse to stand for the Word of God, ashamed to share it to others or witness for Christ’s sake, it will not be because we lacked power, it will be because we did not appropriate power.  

God gives every believer the same supernatural power which was manifest in Jesus’ life and power which

resurrected Jesus from the dead.

     Notice in our text in verse 8 the word “according to” it means the same resurrection power is given to us.

     In Acts we see the disciples manifesting this power in boldly witnessing, not fearing persecution or imprisonment.  

    And what was their source of this power? The Holy Spirit had come upon them as Jesus had prophesied in Acts 1:8.

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

     Today every believer has been baptized by or identified with the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”).

     Therefore, Christian has access to the same power the believers in the early church had.

     There is no difference in the power available to us today,

     Please do not be sidetracked, the greatest miracle of an unsaved dead sinner being resurrected to newness of life is still a reality and this should be our desire and should be our focus.

Matthew 28:18 “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”). If you recognize that power, so… Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,”

     Could it be that we are not letting the Word of Christ dwell in us richly (more than a verse or two in the morning),

obeying under grace the Word of God as directed or controlled by the Holy Spirit?

     Perhaps we are like the Christians at Ephesus who must have been instructed about their source of inherent spiritual power and yet Paul was still moved by the Spirit to pray for them to know this power deep within their innermost being so Paul praying that in Ephesians 1:18-23.

Ephesians 1:18-23 “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, ²⁰ Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: ²² And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ²³ Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”     

     If possible that Timothy inclined to be timid and might feel that suffering made beyond his abilities, Paul reminds Timothy that the suffering is to be “according to the power of God.” This power refers to the power which belongs to God and God has exhibited in our salvation (verse 9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” That power which God has displayed in working our own salvation, is also the power that God imparts to us to be enabled to suffer for the Gospel.

II Timothy 1:9a “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

     In the Greek text, II Timothy 1:8-11 are a single sentence.

     Paul exhorts Timothy in II Timothy 1:8 “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” 

    Then Paul said to Timothy in II Timothy 1:12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed:.”

So, our text is sandwiched between an exhortation to embrace suffering for the gospel without shame and an example of Paul who had done so. The motive that Paul uses to urge Timothy to embrace suffering is the glorious gospel of God’s sovereign grace. Therefore, Paul is saying that because God has saved us by His grace, we should be willing to suffer for the gospel. God’s grace will give us the strength to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel. Remember these words comes out from the mouth of a man of God who is facing execution for the sake of the gospel. These are practical truth, but we must understand and submit to them in order to benefit from them.

     The word “saved” in Greek “sozo” has the basic meanings of to rescue from peril, danger, or destruction (ultimately the “second death”) in the lake of fire.

     Notice the words “Who hath saved us” is in perfect tense, it meant that believers in Christ Jesus are saved. Christians are not looked upon as persons who are in a hopeful state, and may ultimately be saved, but they are already saved. Salvation is a matter to be obtained, received, promised and enjoyed now.

     God has legitimate basis to be reasonably and justly ashamed of us all because of our disobedience, and sinfulness, but God loved us so much, He came to earth to die for our sins and saved us from eternal punishment.  When we always remember the suffering of Christ, shedding of His blood, the mockery and insult, the bearing of the cross and crucifixion and died for our sins, this will immediately stop us from being ashamed of God and His Word.

     It’s true that God saves us, but the sinner has to exercise his free will in order to accept God’s gift. In other words, God has done His part by sending Christ to die for our sins, but now it’s up to us to accept Him. Sinners must repent and trust in Christ to be saved. Christ commands sinners to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15 “repent ye, and believe the gospel.”).

     We ought to note that it is God Who reached down and saved us. Truly there can be no boasting on man's part.

     Don’t miss the actual eternal blessing that happened in your eternal soul, God saved us. You did not save yourself; we do not save ourselves. This is a very important point of not being ashamed of the Word of God and the Gospel of Christ.

II Timothy 1:9b “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

     The word “called” in Greek “kaleo”. The call comes wholly from God and the call claims us wholly for God.

     “Holy” in Greek “hagios” implies the separation of believers from the rest of the world unto God.

     Notice the words “and called us with a holy calling.” Why holy calling? Because it is not only the invitation to a holy life, but also to the holy life which the one called is expected to live. God has always desired His people to be a set apart people (Deuteronomy 7:6; Isaiah 52:11). A believer’s calling to separate from the corrupt, contaminated world. Believers are set apart (hagios) from sin and set apart for the Master’s use (kurios) (II Timothy 2:21 “he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” ).

     It is interesting that the order of the two words “saved” and “called” are united under one article. Paul is saying to Timothy that since God saved us and called us, this ought to strengthen our faith to be willing to suffer unashamedly.

      God had saved us and called us with His holy calling and set us apart as God’s property.

     Notice the words “not according to our works,” it is clear that believers in Christ were not saved or called by God because of our works,”.

     Paul uses the strongest Greek word for “not” which is “ou”, to tells us that there is absolutely no way works of a man can merit salvation.

     Notice the words “but according to his own purpose and grace”

     God did not save us because of how famous we were, of how great we were, on the basis of what great things we had done, etc. but because it was God’s holy purpose. This is humbling and we should be grateful.  

     Why should God have so loved ungodly sinners that He was willing to send His only Son to die for them?

     Why should He go to such a cost to save them from hell and to bring them to heaven so that they could spend eternity with Him? The only possible answer is: according to His own purpose and grace. The reason for His action did not lie in us. Rather, it lay in His own great heart of love. He loved us because He loved us!"   

     God's purpose here refers to God’s plan and God’s grace is the means of accomplishing God’s plan (similar truth in verse 1 "according to the will of God.”

     God's purpose for our lives is not personal HAPPINESS but personal HOLINESS (Christ-likeness). God's great goal for our lives is to "conform us to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29 “to be conformed to the image of His Son”). God will stop at nothing to bring about this holy task. Thus, the great purpose "set before" us is to be consumed with the calling of Christ-likeness and to relentlessly pursue this great goal, no matter what the cost. Like the apostle Paul, we should set as our primary purpose in life in Philippians 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

II Timothy 1:10 “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”

     Jesus Christ is a revealed fact of history. Jesus the Son of God manifested in the flesh and was really crucified at the cross and also really risen from the dead, ascended into heaven.

     Without Christ resurrection there is no true gospel and without Christ resurrection, no one will be saved. Now Jesus is the resurrection and Jesus said in John 11:25 “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” We don’t have to be ashamed of the proof of Jesus is God who came to this earth manifested in the flesh to save us. Let us tell the world of the real history that the world will be saved through Christ.

 II Timothy 1:11-12 “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

     The grace Gospel specifically came through Paul.

     Notice the pronoun “I” where the Greek text used emphatically to stress the fact that Paul was the key instrument who was responsible for communicating the Gospel of the Grace of God to the Gentiles.

     Notice in verse 11 the word “appointed”. Paul was appointed a preacher, an apostle and a teacher of the Gospel.

     The word “appoint” is aorist passive. It meant that Paul was the recipient of the action of this appointment by God. Paul had nothing to do with the action. Paul did not look for this assignment. Paul did not beg for it or even want it. God appointed Paul and gave Paul this task.

     Notice in verse 12 the words “For the which cause” or “For this reason”.

What cause or what reason? GOSPEL

What is Paul preaching and teaching about? GOSPEL

Why Paul is suffering? GOSPEL

What might potentially happen to me when I begin to take a stand for the Gospel?  

     Notice the word in verse 12 “for the which cause I also suffer these things” It means God made a decision to appoint Paul to be a preacher and teacher of God’s Word and that was the reason Paul was suffering.

     The word “suffer” in Greek “Pascho” is in the present tense indicating that Paul’s experience of suffering was a continual action going on in the present (II Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”).

     Notice the words “I also suffer” Paul was not asking Timothy to do anything he had not done.

Philippians 1:29 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”

      We see in this passage how Paul responded in verse 12 “I am not ashamed” to his undeserved suffering...This suffering had not diminished his confidence in God, in fact it was strong as ever.   

     Paul was not ashamed that he was suffering because there was no reason to be ashamed of God’s appointment for him to preach the gospel. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel or he was not ashamed of himself for preaching it.

     Notice at the end of verse 12 “I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 

     Paul was saying “I am not ashamed of anything because I know the Person in whom I have believed and I know that is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until the day I get to be with Him.”

God is able to guard that I have deposited to Him until the day I get to be with Him.

Ending: Why would you be ashamed of a Gospel message that guarantees the salvation of your soul? If there is something that you need to be ashamed, it is your sin, it is your rebellion toward God, and your fleshly living. But don’t ever be ashamed of God’s grace. God’s grace is what takes away the guilt and condemnation of a sinner when he repented from sin and believe Jesus Christ as Savior.