2 Timothy 1:8

Contextual Overview

⁶For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁶ For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁶For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁶Don't let the fire go out by not using the gifts God gave you when I laid my hands on you. ⁶ For this reason I say to you, Let that grace of God which is in you, given to you by my hands, have living power. ⁶ For which cause I put thee in mind to rekindle the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. ⁶ Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁶ For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁶ Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, to stir up the gift of God which is in thee, by the laying on of my hands.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

ashamed: 2 Timothy 1:12, Psalms 119:46, Isaiah 51:7, Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26, Acts 5:41, Romans 1:16, Romans 9:33, Ephesians 3:13, 1 Peter 4:14

the testimony: Psalms 19:7, Isaiah 8:20, John 15:27, John 19:35, Ephesians 4:17, 1 Timothy 2:6, 1 John 4:14, 1 John 5:11, 1 John 5:12, Revelation 1:2, Revelation 12:11, Revelation 19:10

his prisoner: 2 Timothy 1:16, 2 Timothy 2:9, Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 4:1, Philippians 1:7

be thou: 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:11, 2 Timothy 2:12, 2 Timothy 4:5, Romans 8:17, Romans 8:18, Romans 8:36, 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Philippians 3:10, Colossians 1:24, 1 Thessalonians 3:4, 1 Peter 4:13-15, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 12:11

according: 2 Timothy 4:17, Romans 16:25, 2 Corinthians 6:7, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Philippians 4:13, Colossians 1:11, 1 Peter 1:5, Jude 1:24

Reciprocal: Proverbs 27:17 - so Jeremiah 37:21 - Thus Matthew 10:18 - for a Matthew 10:32 - confess me Mark 8:35 - for John 7:26 - he speaketh Acts 4:29 - that Acts 14:22 - we Acts 27:35 - in 1 Corinthians 1:6 - the 1 Corinthians 2:1 - the testimony 2 Corinthians 6:4 - afflictions 2 Corinthians 6:5 - imprisonments Philippians 1:28 - in Colossians 4:18 - Remember 1 Thessalonians 3:3 - moved Philemon 1:1 - a prisoner Hebrews 10:33 - whilst Hebrews 11:25 - Choosing Hebrews 13:23 - is set Revelation 6:9 - slain

Cross-References

Genesis 1:5
God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning-the first day.

Genesis 1:5
God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Genesis 1:5
And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

Genesis 1:5
God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

Genesis 1:5
And God called the light day, and the darknes night: and the euenyng & the mornyng were the first day.

Genesis 1:5
God named the light "day," and he named the darkness "night." There was evening, and then there was morning. This was the first day.

Genesis 1:5
God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

Genesis 1:5
dai, and the derknessis, nyyt. And the euentid and morwetid was maad, o daie.

Genesis 1:5
And God called the light, Day, and the darknesse he called Night: and the euening and the morning were the first day.

Genesis 1:5
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Be not then therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,.... Either that testimony which Christ bore personally by his doctrine and miracles, and by his sufferings and death; or rather the Gospel so called, because it comes from Christ, and because it is a testimony concerning him; concerning his person, his offices, his righteousness, blood, sacrifice, and satisfaction; concerning his obedience, sufferings, death, resurrection, ascension, session at God's right hand, intercession for his people, and second coming to judgment; and concerning life and salvation by him: and which no preacher or professor of Christ has reason to be ashamed of, it being so true in itself, so great, so glorious, and so useful; and whoever is, Christ will be ashamed of him another day:

nor of me his prisoner; for Paul was now a prisoner at Rome, but not for any capital crime, or for any immorality, but for the sake of Christ, and for preaching his Gospel; wherefore none of his friends had any reason to be ashamed of him; he was suffering in a glorious cause, and setting a noble example to others; it looks as if Timothy was somewhat blameworthy in this respect.

But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel; the Gospel is here represented as a person suffering afflictions, and the apostle would have Timothy suffer them as that did, and along with it; he means those afflictions which come upon men for preaching and professing the Gospel; for though the Gospel is a Gospel of peace, yet, through the corruption and depravity of men, it brings a sword, division, and trouble. Tribulation arises on account of it; and this should be endured patiently, and constantly, for the sake of it:

according to the power of God; which is only sufficient to enable persons to bear them; and is mentioned for the encouragement of Timothy and others, to endure them cheerfully.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord - Do not be ashamed to bear your testimony to the doctrines taught by the Lord Jesus; John 3:11, John 3:32-33; John 7:7; compare Acts 10:22; Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 1:6; Revelation 22:16. Paul seems to have apprehended that Timothy was in some danger of being ashamed of this gospel, or of shrinking back from its open avowal in the trials and persecutions to which he now saw it exposed him.

Nor of me his prisoner - Of the testimony which I have borne to the truth of the gospel. This passage proves that, when Paul wrote this Epistle, he was in confinement; compare Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 6:20; Philippians 1:13-14, Philippians 1:16; Colossians 4:3, Colossians 4:18; Philemon 1:9. Timothy knew that he had been thrown into prison on account of his love for the gospel. To avoid that himself, there might be some danger that a timid young man might shrink from an open avowal of his belief in the same system of truth.

But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel - The sufferings to which the profession of the gospel may expose you; compare the notes at Colossians 1:24.

According to the power of God - That is, according to the power which God gives to those who are afflicted on account of the gospel. The apostle evidently supposes that they who were subjected to trials on account of the gospel, might look for divine strength to uphold them, and asks him to endure those trials, relying on that strength, and not on his own.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 8. Be not - ashamed of the testimony — The testimony of Christ is the Gospel in general, which proclaims Christ crucified, and redemption through his blood. In the sight of the world, there appeared to be reason why a man should be ashamed of this; ashamed of him who was crucified as a malefactor; but, when this Gospel became the power of God to the salvation of every one that believed, it was a subject to exult in. Hence the apostle, Romans 1:16, said, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; where see the note.

Nor of me his prisoner — When our friends are in power and credit, we can readily acknowledge them, and take opportunities to show that we have such and such connections; but when the person falls into disgrace or discredit, though we cannot pretend not to know him, yet we take care not to acknowledge him. This induced Cicero, in relation to friendships, to give for a maxim - Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur: "A true friend is known in adverse circumstances;" and from this we have borrowed our proverb, A friend in need, is a friend indeed.

Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel — No parent could love a child better than Paul loved Timothy; and, behold! he who could wish him nothing but what was great, honourable, and good, wishes him to be a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel! Because, to suffer for Christ, and suffer with Christ, was the highest glory to which any human being in this state could arrive. The royal way to the crown of glory, is by the cross of Christ.

According to the power of God. — While thou hast no more affliction than thou hast grace to sustain thee under, thou canst have no cause to complain. And God will take care that if a faithful discharge of thy duty shall expose thee to afflictions, his power manifested in thee shall be in proportion to thy necessities. His load cannot be oppressive, who is strengthened to bear it by the power of God.