Chapter
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Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

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,
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.
NASB Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
CSB So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me his prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.
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.
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;
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,

What does 2 Timothy 1:8 mean?

According to verse 7, Christians are given a spirit of power, love, and self-control. So, Timothy is not to be "ashamed." Two areas are mentioned. First, Timothy was not to be ashamed of the "testimony about our Lord," or the gospel. Paul's famous statement in this area is Romans 1:16 that declares, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Second, Timothy was not to be ashamed of Paul and his imprisonment. Certainly, some believers would seek to distance themselves from a Christian leader in jail. This is a natural human tendency when others are persecuted, since we're hoping to avoid the same situation in our own lives. Timothy was told not to fall to this temptation. This may also connect to Hebrews 13:23, which speaks of Timothy's release from prison. However, the timing of that event is uncertain.

Rather than being "ashamed," Timothy was to welcome the opportunity to stand with persecuted brothers. This power Timothy had would help him endure when suffering was necessary for the spread of the gospel. This verse is a clear example of how God specifically calls believers, at times, to suffer for the cause of Christ (2 Timothy 3:12).
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