2 Timothy 1:8

Appeal to Timothy to be a brave Champion both of the saving work of Christ and of the suffering witness of St Paul

8. Be not thou therefore ashamed Omit -thou" here, and in -be thou partaker;" the stress is on the -shame" and -suffering," and no pronoun is expressed in Greek.

the testimony For, in behalf of, the Cross of Christ, recalling the very words of Christ, when He first declared -the Cross," Luke 9:26, -whosoever shall be ashamed of me." -Testimony" is the neuter word as in 1 Timothy 2:6 (see note). Here with gen. objective, though in 2 Thessalonians 1:10 with gen. subjective -our testimony unto you."

our Lord The phrase occurs only here and in 1 Timothy 1:14, in St Paul; but is used also by St Peter, 2 Peter 3:15, -the longsuffering of our Lord," and in Hebrews 7:14, -our Lord sprang out of Juda."

Both quasi-imperative and imperative are aorist, and contrasted with presentimperatives imply the taking upor not taking upa particular line of action in contrast with the continuing or not continuing some course. Whether or not Timothy had as yet shewn shame or cowardice, this exhortation delicately looks only to the future. Winer, § 56 b.

me his prisoner See Introduction, p. 44.

partaker of the afflictions of the gospel Vulg., Th. Mops. (true reading), -collabora Euangelio." R.V. suffer hardship with the gospel. The exact form occurs 2 Timothy 2:2 with no case attached: the thought in both places is the same, and is again elaborated in the rhythmical refrain of 2 Timothy 2:11-12. Fellowship with Christ, with the Gospel, with St Paul it is all one and the same thing. -With the Gospel" is more natural than -for the Gospel," which would need a preposition, -in behalf of," -for the sake of," -in or -unto" according to N.T. usage. For the personifying, which is quite in St Paul's manner, compare Titus 2:5, -that the word of God be not blasphemed;" Romans 10:16, -they did not all obey the Gospel;" Philippians 4:14, -ye had fellowship with my affliction;" and especially Philippians 1:27, -with one soul striving together with the faith of the Gospel."

according to the power of God Looks back to 2 Timothy 1:7; God, who giveth, hathpower.