2 Timothy 1 8

2 Timothy 1:8 kjv

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;

2 Timothy 1:8 nkjv

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

2 Timothy 1:8 niv

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 1:8 esv

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

2 Timothy 1:8 nlt

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.

2 Timothy 1 verses

2 Timothy 1 8 Meaning

This verse is an imperative from Paul to Timothy, urging him not to be ashamed of testifying about the Lord Jesus or of Paul, who is a prisoner for Christ. Instead, Timothy is called to willingly suffer hardship for the Gospel, drawing strength and enablement directly from God's own power. It serves as a command for courageous evangelism and perseverance in ministry despite societal shame or personal cost, grounded in divine strength rather than human weakness.

2 Timothy 1 8 Context

The verse is an urgent appeal from the apostle Paul to his spiritual son, Timothy. Paul, near the end of his life and imprisoned, is keenly aware of the challenges facing the young pastor Timothy in Ephesus. Timothy appears to have been prone to timidity (implied by Paul's emphasis on courage and shame, see 2 Tim 1:6-7) and faced significant social pressure, opposition, and the pervasive threat of false teachings. This verse forms part of Paul's introductory exhortation, urging Timothy to maintain boldness and loyalty to the Gospel. Historically, Christians were a persecuted minority in the Roman Empire, often viewed with suspicion or contempt for their refusal to worship state gods or the emperor. Paul, as "His prisoner," embodied this social rejection and suffering for the faith, making the call not to be ashamed particularly poignant and challenging for Timothy. The passage begins with "Therefore," linking back to the powerful declaration in verse 7 that God has not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

2 Timothy 1 8 Word analysis

• Therefore (οὖν - oun): A conjunctive particle. It indicates a logical consequence or transition. Here, it strongly connects the exhortation that follows to the preceding declaration about God giving a "spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind," not fear (2 Tim 1:7). It implies a conclusion based on God's empowerment.
• do not be ashamed (μὴ ἐπαισχυνθῇς - mē epaischynthēs): An aorist passive subjunctive, strong imperative negation. Epaischynomai means to feel shame, be put to shame, to be ashamed of. It suggests a fear of disgrace or ridicule in the eyes of others. Paul addresses a potential tendency in Timothy or the cultural pressure against the Christian message and its proponents. The form highlights a definitive action that must not occur.
• of the testimony (τοῦ μαρτυρίου - tou martyríou): The genitive case. Martyrion refers to a witness or evidence. Here, it specifically means the witness borne to Christ, or the gospel message about Him. It carries implications of proclamation and often, personal suffering that validates the testimony (from which we get "martyr").
• of our Lord (τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν - tou Kyriou hēmōn): Possessive genitive. Emphasizes the subject of the testimony is Jesus Christ, Lord of believers. Identifies Christ as the ultimate authority and object of faith.
• nor (μηδὲ - mēde): "And not." Connects the two things Timothy should not be ashamed of.
• of me (ἐμὲ - eme): Accusative pronoun, emphatic. Paul asks Timothy not to be ashamed of Paul himself. This is significant because Paul was a prisoner, and associating with a condemned person brought social disgrace.
• His prisoner (δέσμιον αὐτοῦ - desmion autou): Appositional phrase, further clarifying "me." Desmion means one bound, a prisoner. The genitive autou ("His") highlights that Paul's imprisonment is for Christ's sake, not as a common criminal, elevating his suffering to a badge of honor for the Lord.
• but (ἀλλὰ - alla): Strong adversative conjunction. It indicates a sharp contrast or opposition, pivoting from what Timothy should not do to what he should do.
• join with me in suffering (συγκακοπάθησον - synkakopáthēson): A strong, urgent aorist imperative verb. Synkakopatheō means to suffer evil or hardship together with someone. This is an active command to share in endurance of ill-treatment or hardship, implying an active partnership in gospel work. It’s not just enduring, but enduring alongside Paul.
• for the gospel (τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ - tō euangelíō): Dative case, indicating purpose or sphere. The suffering is explicitly on account of or for the sake of the Good News of Christ. It ties the suffering directly to the mission of spreading God's redemptive message.
• according to (κατὰ - kata): Preposition. Denotes source or standard. The suffering is to be undertaken in alignment with or drawing from the power mentioned next.
• the power (δύναμιν - dynamin): Accusative noun. Dynamis signifies inherent power, miraculous power, moral power, enablement, capability. It's the active power of God at work.
• of God (Θεοῦ - Theou): Genitive. God is the source and possessor of this enabling power. The implication is that human effort alone is insufficient; divine enablement is necessary for effective ministry and for enduring suffering for the Gospel.

Words-Group Analysis

• Do not be ashamed... nor of me His prisoner: This phrase captures the heart of Paul's concern. In a culture valuing honor and reputation, being associated with Christ's "foolish" message or a convicted criminal (Paul) brought immense social shame. Paul directly challenges this human fear of disgrace. It's a call for unflinching loyalty despite public disapproval.
• But join with me in suffering for the gospel: This is the counter-command. Instead of shrinking back, Timothy is to actively embrace hardship, recognizing it as part and parcel of effective gospel ministry. It emphasizes solidarity with Paul and participation in the redemptive mission, which often involves sacrifice. This is a deliberate choice of "participation" rather than passive endurance.
• According to the power of God: This provides the crucial theological grounding and means for fulfilling the command. The strength for radical non-shame and suffering does not originate from Timothy's own fortitude but is empowered directly by God's infinite, active dynamis. It shifts the burden from human capability to divine enablement, removing excuses for timidity.

2 Timothy 1 8 Bonus section

The mention of "the testimony of our Lord" (tou martyriou tou Kyriou hēmōn) links to a recurring theme throughout Revelation and other New Testament books, where "testimony of Jesus" (martyrian Iēsou) signifies both the content of the gospel and the witness that Christians give, often to the point of suffering or death (e.g., Rev 1:2, 1:9, 12:17). This connection highlights that Timothy's commitment to bearing witness places him firmly within the historical narrative of God's people suffering for truth, with the ultimate victory assured in Christ. Paul’s appeal, therefore, is not merely about personal bravery, but about participating in God's unfolding redemptive drama, enabled by divine dynamis. It also serves as an indirect polemic against Roman civic religion, which demanded public participation and loyalty tests; Christians refusal to participate meant perceived disloyalty, which led to social exclusion and legal penalties, requiring inner strength against outer shaming. The letter prepares Timothy not just for an intellectual battle against false doctrine, but for a spiritual and social battle requiring courage and endurance.

2 Timothy 1 8 Commentary

Paul's imperative in 2 Timothy 1:8 is a pivotal challenge to Timothy and, by extension, to all who would serve Christ. He addresses what he perceives as Timothy's inclination towards timidity (indicated by the earlier reference to God not giving a spirit of fear) and the intense social pressure to conform or disavow the unpopular Christian faith.

The command not to be "ashamed" strikes at a deeply human fear of social disapproval, a concern highly pronounced in honor-shame cultures. Being ashamed of Christ or His message would mean betraying Him in the face of scorn, a stark contrast to Christ's own suffering for humanity. Not being ashamed implies publicly identifying with Christ, upholding His truth, and embracing His cause, even when it leads to reproach or personal cost. Similarly, not being ashamed of Paul, the "Lord's prisoner," requires courage to stand in solidarity with those persecuted for the Gospel, embracing their perceived disgrace as spiritual honor.

The alternative to shame is proactive participation in suffering for the Gospel. This isn't passive resignation but an active "joining with" Paul in enduring hardship, implying partnership in the ongoing mission of the Gospel which historically, and often, has included affliction. This suffering is not for its own sake but is purposeful: "for the Gospel," enabling its proclamation and authentication.

Crucially, Paul grounds this demanding call in God's power. Timothy is not left to his own limited strength. The ability to overcome shame and endure hardship for the Gospel comes directly "according to the power of God." This underscores a fundamental theological principle: Christian service and endurance are supernatural, fueled by divine enablement. It empowers the timid, assures the weak, and calls believers to rely fully on God's active strength, transforming a difficult command into a divine possibility.

For practical application, believers are called to:

• Boldly proclaim and live out the Gospel in the face of social pressure or ridicule.
• Stand in solidarity with fellow believers who are marginalized or suffering for their faith.
• Recognize that any suffering endured for Christ is meaningful and contributes to the Gospel's advance.
• Actively draw upon God's inherent power for strength and courage in ministry, especially when challenges arise.