(1) 1:6 Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands. 1:7 For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.
this-refers to Timothy's faith
Rekindle-(BDAG) literally, ‘cause to blaze again, figuratively, to cause to begin again
What caused Paul to remind Timothy to blaze his faith again was due to Timothy's fear. What caused Timothy's fear was found in v. 8 and 12.
(2) 1:8a So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake,
v.12a Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed
Timothy was ashamed of the Gospel and Paul because he was now a prisoner for the Gospel.
(3) What is the remedy of his fear and shame?
v.7b Spirit of...power and love and self-control
v.8b but by God’s power accept your share of suffering for the gospel.
Paul did not beautify the Gospel or the shame of being the prisoner, but he asked Timothy to share the suffering for the Gospel! Who can do that? Only by the power, love and self-control given by the Spirit and by God's power. This kind of power is gained through meditating on Who God is and What He has done for us v.9-12.
1:12 Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day.
(NET) “what he has entrusted to me” [the truth of the gospel]). See similar word in v.14.
(NET) “what he has entrusted to me” [the truth of the gospel]). See similar word in v.14.
until that day-(NET) That day is a reference to the day when Paul would stand before Christ to give account for his service
In other words, the fact that Paul was not ashamed was not due to his own effort of meditating on Who God is and what He has done. God is able to protect the truth of the Gospel that He has entrusted to Paul until the very end. What fear do we have?
Reflection: Does it seem like to you that you are not as zealous to the Lord as before? Has your fire been weak? Is it because of fear that the fire in your heart is almost distinguished? Paul reminded Timothy to turn to the power of God and not look at the shame in people's eyes. Meditate on the One who saved us and the grace that God gave us through the Gospel. Besides, God will protect the mission until the very end.
Audrey
Comments