Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  (7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  (8) 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.  (13) Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  (14) That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.  

The second highly personal and emotional letter to Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul who wrote from a Roman prison – alone except for Luke – and almost certainly facing death.  Paul had acted as Timothy’s mentor and spiritual father and had given him responsibilities to act as his representative in the churches Paul had founded in that ancient world. At the time of the letter Timothy was in Ephesus left there to combat the false teachers in that city.

In our verses today, Paul exhorts Timothy to stand fast in the abundance of the excellent gifts of grace given Timothy by God.  He urges Timothy to an active ministry in the face of many and great obstacles – that mans courage alone will not overcome these but the power of the Spirit will uphold him. He tells Timothy to be not ashamed of the gospel; the persecution of Christians under the emperor Nero was now in full force.  Paul is forbidding the fear of disgrace or persecution keep Timothy from preaching the gospel Paul taught him. The more hateful to the world the gospel doctrine is the more openly it should be confessed.

Paul tells Timothy to not withdraw from him or any who are being persecuted in the name of Christ. Paul says he is Christ’s prisoner – not for any crime or evil deed but for His name. Paul is a victim of the unjust judgment of men and there is nothing disgraceful in his inprisonment. Timothy should prepare himself for afflictions connected to the gospel – and “according to the power of God” we are not alone and this admonition and word of consolation will deliver the faithful to eternal victory.  Paul is not being philosophical but is being realistic here – he is facing execution but is telling Timothy he is out of danger in the power of God and is fully convinced salvation is of the Lord.

Paul reminds Timothy of the greatness of the benefits of salvation – evil pales by comparison. This world is fleeting and we need to keep our hearts and minds above.  Timothy is to keep close the value of what God has given him – his gifts and ministry are of inestimable value – and not just the ministry but the gifts of the Spirit which qualify him for the ministry.  Timothy is told to hold fast to sound doctrine and to add piety and love with Christ as our source.