It Starts Small

⁸ So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me his prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. ⁹ He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. ¹⁰ This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher, ¹² and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. ¹³ Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. ¹⁵ You know that all those in the province of Asia have deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. ¹⁷ On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he diligently searched for me and found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant that he obtain mercy from him on that day. You know very well how much he ministered at Ephesus.

2 Timothy 1:8-18

don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me

Paul stood as a prisoner in the heart of Rome, a place where shadows of doubt encircled him. In verse 15, we witness the painful truth: many believers had abandoned his side, choosing safety over loyalty. To be known as a friend of Paul was to risk one’s life—a treacherous gamble in these dire times. With his execution looming, the scene echoed the harrowing night of Jesus’ arrest. When darkness fell on that momentous eve, fear gripped the hearts of Jesus’ disciples, sending them scattering for safety. Even Peter, bold yet terrified, denied his Lord. They all feared being ensnared in the same perilous fate as Jesus. They dreaded the dire consequences that awaited those who dared to stand with Him.

It’s exactly what those around Paul feared the most! Yet, Paul passionately urges Timothy to rise above their doubts. He calls on Timothy to be bold and fearless in standing up for God. Timothy should never shrink back. He should never feel ashamed of his deep bond with Paul.

What is the link between these two things?

Jesus said that a light on a hill cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). He also said that whatever we do to the “least of these” we do also for Him (matthew 25:40).

²⁰ If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

1 John 4:20

In 1 John 4:20, we discover a profound truth: if we fail to love the brother we can see, we are utterly incapable of loving the God we cannot see. Serving God is inseparable from serving the vibrant souls around us. To truly love God, we must pour our hearts into loving those who cross our paths. And let us not forget, being valiant for God means to boldly stand with fellow believers. It also means identifying ourselves with them in our midst!

Engaging in these actions may indeed lead to suffering. Let’s face it—no promise exists in life that we will evade suffering for Christ. In reality, persecution stands as a divine promise etched in the Scriptures for every believer. Therefore, let us rally fervently. Stand unwaveringly for Christ in this bleak world. Be resolute in our refusal to compromise or conceal our faith. We must do this regardless of the price we must pay!

God is Worthy

In verse 9, God is utterly deserving of our unwavering faith and heartfelt commitment! He chose us, called us, and saved us with profound intention. Every action He took was for a divine purpose—He desires for us to be holy! He longs for us to dedicate our lives to Him wholeheartedly. Running away in times of hardship is a grave misstep. Hiding during such times wastes the magnificent gift that God has bestowed upon us!

In the Old Testament, salvation was veiled in the shadows of mystery. It was a divine secret crafted by God before the dawn of time. The arrival of Christ marked a glorious moment. This magnificent plan burst forth into the light. It revealed to us with breathtaking clarity the profound essence of the gospel!

For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher, 

Paul was resolute in his calling, fully aware of the One he served. His ministry radiated Christ’s essence because Christ is the heartbeat of God’s grand design. While the Bible holds immense significance, it is not the source of our salvation. The Holy Spirit, who is truly God, did not bear the weight of the cross. The Church was divinely established, serving as a pathway to a deeper relationship with Christ. We are fervent followers of Christ. We passionately pursue His truth and love.

When people ask you what denomination you are, we should not answer with labels like “Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian…” Instead, we should answer, “I am a follower of Christ.” The greatest news on earth is that Christ abolished death. He brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Telling people this was the whole purpose of Paul’s ministry.

We must approach others without an agenda to lead them away from Christ! Let us refuse to be lured into trivial controversies or pointless debates. Each of us has been chosen by Christ, called to serve Him with fervor! We are appointed as His ambassadors, heralds of His truth, evangelists of His love, teachers spreading His message—let us embrace this glorious mission with all our hearts!

Are you fully embracing your calling in your profession? Are you fervently sharing the love of Christ with those around you? Is Christ the undeniable center of your existence, or are distractions vying for that sacred spot? We proudly identify as Christians. Let’s really reflect on this: does Christ take precedence in your heart? Or do your own desires stand in the way?

---

Cross-References

• Acts 28:31
• Proverbs 28:1
• 2 Corinthians 3:12
• Acts 4:13
• Romans 8:37-39
• 1 Timothy 4:6

Discussion Questions

• What is the main theme of verses 8-18?
• Why might some believers have kept their distance from Paul?
• How does Paul exhort Timothy?
• What can we learn from his challenge to “not be ashamed of our Lord or of me His prisoner?”
• Is it possible for a believer to shirk away from identifying with other believers publicly, while still being bold for Christ? Why or why not?
• For what purpose has God saved us?
• For what reason does Paul suffer these things (12)?
• Why was Paul so bold (12?)
• What had he entrusted to Christ to guard for him? Until what day?
• What are sound words?
• How can you also retain the standard of sound words?
• What treasure had been entrusted to Timothy (14)? Is it also entrusted to you?
• How had other brothers reacted to Paul’s imprisonment?
• What can we learn from the different reactions of Phygeleus, Hermogenes, and Onesiphorus?
• What can you do to be more like Onesiphorus?

---

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.