2 Timothy 1:8

Be not thou therefore ashamed. The Greek implies that Timothy had not been ashamed heretofore. Paul here is challenging his faithful co-worker never to become ashamed. Such expressions of confidence inspire younger workers to even nobler achievements.

Testimony of our Lord. That is, the Christian witness about Jesus Christ, which to the Gentiles was “foolishness” and to the Jews a “stumblingblock” (see on 1 Cor. 1:23, 25).

Prisoner. Additional evidence that Paul was writing this epistle while in the Roman prison (see p. 325).

Partaker of the afflictions. Gr. sugkakopathed, “to suffer evil jointly,” “to share disgrace together.”

Of the gospel. Literally, “for the gospel.” Paul was being publicly humiliated for the gospel’s sake; anything less than full fellowship with Paul, publicly and privately, would have been cowardice (see on v. 7). The apostle understood well that the forces of evil relentlessly pursue every child of God, that before the crown of glory there must be the cross of disgrace and misunderstanding (see ch. 3:12).

Power of God. Only the grace of God can strengthen the believer to overcome the specious enticements and endure the afflictions of the enemy of souls (see on Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18).