2 Timothy 1:12
For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
For this reason
Paul begins by referring to the preceding verses where he speaks of his calling and the gospel. His suffering is directly linked to his mission to spread the message of Christ. This phrase sets the stage for understanding that his hardships are not random but are a direct result of his commitment to his divine calling.

even though I suffer as I do
Paul's suffering includes imprisonment and persecution, common experiences for early Christians. His suffering is a testament to his dedication and mirrors the sufferings of Christ, as seen in passages like Philippians 1:29. The early church faced significant opposition from both Jewish and Roman authorities, making Paul's endurance a powerful example for believers.

I am not ashamed
In a culture where honor and shame were pivotal, Paul boldly declares his lack of shame in the gospel, echoing Romans 1:16. Despite societal pressures, he remains steadfast, encouraging Timothy and others to stand firm in their faith without fear of disgrace.

for I know whom I have believed
Paul emphasizes a personal relationship with Christ, not just intellectual assent. This knowledge is experiential and rooted in his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). It underscores the importance of a personal faith that goes beyond mere tradition or ritual.

and I am convinced that He is able
Paul's confidence is in God's power and faithfulness. This assurance is echoed in other scriptures, such as Philippians 1:6, where Paul expresses certainty in God's ability to complete the work He has begun. It reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and omnipotence.

to guard what I have entrusted to Him
The "entrusted" could refer to Paul's life, ministry, or the gospel itself. The imagery of guarding suggests protection and preservation, akin to a deposit kept safe. This reflects the biblical theme of God as a protector, as seen in Psalm 121:7-8.

for that day
"That day" refers to the eschatological hope of Christ's return and the final judgment. This future orientation is a common theme in Paul's writings, providing motivation and hope for enduring present trials. It aligns with passages like 2 Thessalonians 1:10, where the return of Christ is anticipated with eager expectation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle and author of the letter, writing to Timothy from prison, expressing his unwavering faith despite suffering.

2. Timothy
A young pastor and close companion of Paul, recipient of the letter, encouraged to remain steadfast in faith.

3. Roman Imprisonment
The context of Paul's writing, highlighting his physical suffering and the potential for execution.

4. God
The one in whom Paul has placed his trust, capable of guarding what Paul has entrusted to Him.

5. That Day
Refers to the future day of judgment or Christ's return, when all will be revealed and rewarded.
Teaching Points
Unashamed Faith
Despite suffering, Paul remains unashamed of his faith. Believers are encouraged to stand firm in their convictions, even in adversity.

Personal Relationship with God
Paul emphasizes knowing "whom" he has believed, highlighting the importance of a personal relationship with God rather than mere knowledge about Him.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Paul's confidence in God's ability to guard what he has entrusted underscores the believer's call to trust in God's sovereign power and faithfulness.

Eternal Perspective
The reference to "that day" encourages believers to maintain an eternal perspective, focusing on the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.

Encouragement in Suffering
Paul's example serves as an encouragement to endure suffering with hope and assurance in God's protection and purpose.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Paul's example of being unashamed in suffering challenge your current approach to trials in your life?

2. In what ways can you deepen your personal relationship with God to mirror Paul's confidence in whom he has believed?

3. What are some practical steps you can take to entrust your life and future to God's care, as Paul did?

4. How does maintaining an eternal perspective influence your daily decisions and priorities?

5. Can you identify a situation where you need to apply the assurance of God's safeguarding power, as seen in 2 Timothy 1:12, and how will you do so?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Romans 1:16
Paul speaks of not being ashamed of the Gospel, similar to his declaration in 2 Timothy 1:12.

Philippians 1:6
Paul expresses confidence that God will complete the good work He began, paralleling his trust in God's ability to guard his deposit.

1 Peter 4:16
Encourages believers not to be ashamed when they suffer as Christians, resonating with Paul's stance.

John 10:28-29
Jesus speaks of His ability to keep His followers secure, echoing the assurance Paul has in God's safeguarding power.
A Funeral SermonJ. E. Good.2 Timothy 1:12
A Safe DepositS. Martin.2 Timothy 1:12
Acquaintance with Christ the Christian's StrengthG. Jeans, M. A.2 Timothy 1:12
AssuranceJ. Irons.2 Timothy 1:12
AssuranceW. Hay Aitken, M. A.2 Timothy 1:12
Assured Security in ChristC. H. Spurgeon.2 Timothy 1:12
Character Entrusted to God2 Timothy 1:12
Christian ConfidenceC. Molyneux, B. A.2 Timothy 1:12
Christian FaithH. Bushnell.2 Timothy 1:12
Christian FaithJ. Ruskin.2 Timothy 1:12
Confidence and ConcernC. H. Spurgeon.2 Timothy 1:12
Confidence in ChristB. D. Johns.2 Timothy 1:12
FaithE. Bersier, D. D.2 Timothy 1:12
Faith a Personal Relation to ChristA. Maclaren, D. D.2 Timothy 1:12
Faith and FeelingT. de Witt Talmage.2 Timothy 1:12
Faith IllustratedC. H. Spurgeon.2 Timothy 1:12
God a Good Keeper2 Timothy 1:12
Grounds of Confidence in the Saviour's AbilityR. Hall, M. A.2 Timothy 1:12
I Know Whom I have BelievedC. H. Parkhurst.2 Timothy 1:12
It's All RealSword and Trowel.2 Timothy 1:12
Jesus SufficientT. Spurgeon.2 Timothy 1:12
Knowing ChristJ. Vaughan, M. A.2 Timothy 1:12
Knowledge Conducive of AssuranceJ. Barlow, D. D.2 Timothy 1:12
Nothing Between the Soul and its Saviour2 Timothy 1:12
Nothing to Hold ByAnon.2 Timothy 1:12
Pride in the Profane Causeth Good Men to Suffer for Well-DoingJr. Barlow, D. D.2 Timothy 1:12
The Believer's Confidence in the Prospect of EternityW. Jay.2 Timothy 1:12
The Certainty of SalvationJ. Barlow, D. D.2 Timothy 1:12
The Christian's Confidence in ChristW. B. Collyer, D. D.2 Timothy 1:12
The Confidence of St. PaulC. J. Hoore, M. A.2 Timothy 1:12
The Folly of not Trusting Christ2 Timothy 1:12
The Foundation of the Christian's HopeE. Cooper.2 Timothy 1:12
The Grounds of His Joyful Confidence Under All His SufferingsT. Croskery 2 Timothy 1:12
The Grounds of the Believer's ConfidenceD. Moore, M. A.2 Timothy 1:12
The Internal Evidence of ExperienceH. W. McGrath, M. A.2 Timothy 1:12
The Love of Christ Stronger than the Terrors of DeathT.Brown, M. A.2 Timothy 1:12
The Safety of BelieversD. Black.2 Timothy 1:12
The Soul Entrusted to ChristRichard Newton.2 Timothy 1:12
The Use and Abuse of DogmaD. J. Vaughan, M. A.2 Timothy 1:12
Trust in Christ Supported by Cumulative EvidenceH. Wace, D. D.2 Timothy 1:12
Trusting Christ EntirelyH. W. Childs.2 Timothy 1:12
Venturing on Christ2 Timothy 1:12
Address and SalutationR. Finlayson 2 Timothy 1:1-14
People
Christians, Eunice, Hermogenes, Lois, Onesiphorus, Paul, Phygellus, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Asia, Ephesus, Rome
Topics
Able, Ashamed, Believed, Care, Cause, Committed, Confident, Convinced, Deposit, Entrusted, Faith, Feeling, Guard, Hebrews, Indeed, Letter, Nevertheless, Persuaded, Power, Reason, Reposes, Safe, Shame, Suffer, Sure, Till, Trust, Undergo, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Timothy 1:12

     1105   God, power of
     4921   day
     5480   protection
     5698   guardian
     5798   betrayal
     5914   optimism
     5942   security
     6632   conviction
     7712   convincing
     7751   persuasion
     8031   trust, importance
     8106   assurance, nature of
     8112   certainty
     8214   confidence, basis of
     8215   confidence, results
     8354   trustworthiness
     8441   goals
     8491   watchfulness, divine
     8737   evil, responses to
     8797   persecution, attitudes
     9220   day of the LORD

2 Timothy 1:11-12

     5565   suffering, of believers
     7708   apostles, function

Library
The Form of Sound Words
The Apostle most earnestly admonished Timothy to "hold fast the form of sound words which he had heard of him in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." I do not suppose that by this it is intended that Paul ever wrote out for Timothy a list of doctrines; or that he gave him a small abstract of divinity, to which he desired him to subscribe his name, as the articles of the church over which he was made a pastor. If so, doubtless the document would have been preserved and enrolled in the canons
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

Christianity
WHAT IS CHRISTIANITY? WHAT is Christianity? The question seems a belated one. It never was more pertinent than now. Its pertinency rests upon two facts. First: the modern drift in Christianity and its absolute failure. Second: the phenomenal triumph of primitive Christianity. The modern drift is antagonistic to doctrine and repudiates the miraculous. It sets aside the virgin birth, has no toleration for atonement by sacrificial death, and positively refuses to accept the bodily resurrection of our
I. M. Haldeman—Christ, Christianity and the Bible

The Seventh Word from the Cross
While all the words of dying persons are full of interest, there is special importance attached to the last of them. This is the Last Word of Jesus; and both for this reason and for others it claims particular attention. A noted Englishman is recorded to have said, when on his deathbed, to a nephew, "Come near and see how a Christian can die." Whether or not that was a wise saying, certainly to learn how to die is one of the most indispensable acquirements of mortals; and nowhere can it be learnt
James Stalker—The Trial and Death of Jesus Christ

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Abaelard had Defined Faith as an Opinion or Estimate: Bernard Refutes This.
Abaelard had defined faith as an opinion or estimate: Bernard refutes this. 9. It is no wonder if a man who is careless of what he says should, when rushing into the mysteries of the Faith, so irreverently assail and tear asunder the hidden treasures of godliness, since he has neither piety nor faith in his notions about the piety of faith. For instance, on the very threshold of his theology (I should rather say his stultology) he defines faith as private judgment; as though in these mysteries it
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Perseverance Proved.
2. I REMARK, that God is able to preserve and keep the true saints from apostacy, in consistency with their liberty: 2 Tim. i. 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." Here the apostle expresses the fullest confidence in the ability of Christ to keep him: and indeed, as has been said, it is most manifest that the apostles expected
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Elucidations.
(Dinocrates, cap. ii. p. 701.) The avidity with which the Latin controversial writers seize upon this fanciful passage, (which, in fact, is subversive of their whole doctrine about Purgatory, as is the text from the Maccabees) makes emphatic the utter absence from the early Fathers of any reference to such a dogma; which, had it existed, must have appeared in every reference to the State of the Dead, and in every account of the discipline of penitents. Arbp. Usher [9011] ingeniously turns the tables
Tertullian—The Passion of the Holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Paul's Care and Prayer for the Church.
Text: Ephesians 3, 13-21. 13. Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 and that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strong
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

"And this is his Commandment, that we Should Believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ, and Love one Another. "
1 John iii. 23.--"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another." It is a common doctrine often declared unto you, that the most part of those who hear the gospel do run, in their pretended course to heaven, either upon a rock of dashing discouragement, or the sands of sinking presumption. These are in all men's mouths; and no question they are very dangerous, so hazardous, as many fools make shipwreck either of the faith, or a good
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Discerning Prayer.
INTRODUCTORY. BY D.W. WHITTLE. To recognize God's existence is to necessitate prayer to Him, by all intelligent creatures, or, a consciously living in sin and under condemnation of conscience, because they do not pray to Him. It would be horrible to admit the existence of a Supreme Being, with power and wisdom to create, and believe that the creatures he thought of consequence and importance enough to bring into existence, are not of enough consequence for him to pay any attention to in the troubles
Various—The Wonders of Prayer

Assurance
Q-xxxvi: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS WHICH FLOW FROM SANCTIFICATION? A: Assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. The first benefit flowing from sanctification is assurance of God's love. 'Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.' 2 Pet 1:10. Sanctification is the seed, assurance is the flower which grows out of it: assurance is a consequent of sanctification. The saints of old had it. We know that we know
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Communion of Saints.
"The Saints on earth, and those above, But one communion make; Joined to their Lord in bonds of love, All of His grace partake." The history of the extension of the Church of Christ from one land to another, and of the successive victories won by the Cross over heathen races from age to age, gives by itself a very imperfect idea of the meaning of the words "The Holy Catholic Church." Because, with the outward extension of the Church, its influence upon the inner man needs always to be considered.
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

Concerning God's Purpose
1. God's purpose is the cause of salvation. THE third and last thing in the text, which I shall but briefly glance at, is the ground and origin of our effectual calling, in these words, "according to his purpose" (Eph. i. 11). Anselm renders it, According to his good will. Peter Martyr reads it, According to His decree. This purpose, or decree of God, is the fountainhead of our spiritual blessings. It is the impulsive cause of our vocation, justification, glorification. It is the highest link in
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Secret Walk with God (I. ).
Pastor, for the round of toil See the toiling soul is fed; Shut the chamber, light the oil, Break and eat the Spirit's bread; Life to others would'st thou bring? Live thyself upon thy King. Let me explain in this first sentence that when in these pages I address "my Younger Brethren," I mean brethren in the Christian Ministry in the Church of England. Let me limit my reference still further, by premising that very much of what I say will be said as to brethren who have lately taken holy Orders,
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

Predestination and Calling
Eternal Father, who shall look Into thy secret will? None but the Lamb shall take the book, And open every seal. None but he shall ever unroll that sacred record and read it to the assembled world. How then am I to know whether I am predestinated by God unto eternal life or not? It is a question in which my eternal interests are involved; am I among that unhappy number who shall be left to live in sin and reap the due reward of their iniquity; or do I belong to that goodly company, who albeit that
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Twelfth Day for the Spirit to Convince the World of Sin
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Spirit to convince the World of Sin "I will send the Comforter to you. And He, when He is come, will convict the world in respect of sin."--JOHN xvi. 7, 8. God's one desire, the one object of Christ's being manifested, is to take away sin. The first work of the Spirit on the world is conviction of sin. Without that, no deep or abiding revival, no powerful conversion. Pray for it, that the gospel may be preached in such power of the Spirit, that men may see that they have
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Pastor in Parish (I. ).
Master, to the flock I speed, In Thy presence, in Thy name; Show me how to guide, to feed, How aright to cheer and blame; With me knock at every door; Enter with me, I implore. We have talked together about the young Clergyman's secret life, and private life, and his life in (so to speak) non-clerical intercourse with others, and now lastly of his life as it stands related to his immediate leader in the Ministry. In this latter topic we have already touched the great matter which comes now at
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

"That which was from the Beginning, which we have Heard, which we have Seen with Our Eyes, which we have Looked Upon, and Our Hands Have
1 John i. 1.--"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life." It is the great qualification of a disciple, or hearer, to be attentive and docile, to be capable of teaching, and to apply the mind seriously to it. It is much to get the ear of a man. If his ear be gotten, his mind is the more easily gained. Therefore, those who professed eloquence, and studied to persuade men to any
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
1 Tim. i. 5.--"Now the end of the commandment," &c. We come now, as was proposed, to observe, Thirdly,(474) That faith unfeigned is the only thing which gives the answer of a good conscience towards God. Conscience, in general, is nothing else but a practical knowledge of the rule a man should walk by, and of himself in reference to that rule. It is the laying down a man's state, and condition, and actions beside the rule of God's word, or the principles of nature's light. It is the chief piece
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Prefatory Scripture Passages.
To the Law and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.-- Isa. viii. 20. Thus saith the Lord; Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.--Jer. vi. 16. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

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