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Selected Verse: 2 Timothy 1:8 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
2Ti 1:8	Strong Concordance	Be [1870] not [3361] thou [1870] therefore [3767] ashamed [1870] of the testimony [3142] of our [2257] Lord [2962], nor [3366] of me [1691] his [846] prisoner [1198]: but [235] be thou partaker of the afflictions [4777] of the gospel [2098] according to [2596] the power [1411] of God [2316];
	King James	Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
therefore--seeing that God hath given us such a spirit, not that of fear. Be not thou . . . ashamed--I agree with ELLICOTT, in opposition to ALFORD, that the Greek subjunctive here, with the negative, implies action completed at one time, not continued action, which the present imperative would express; thus implying that Timothy had not decidedly yet evinced such feeling of shame; though I think, Paul, amidst the desertion of others who once promised fair, and from being aware of Timothy's constitutional timidity (see on Ti2 1:7), felt it necessary to stir him up and guard him against the possibility of unchristian dereliction of duty as to bold confession of Christ. Shame (Ti2 1:8) is the companion of fear (Ti2 1:7); if fear be overcome, false shame flees [BENGEL]. Paul himself (Ti2 1:12), and Onesiphorus (Ti2 1:16), were instances of fearless profession removing false shame. He presents in contrast sad instances of fear and shame (Ti2 1:15). of the testimony of our Lord--of the testimony which thou art bound to give in the cause of our Lord; he says "our," to connect Timothy and himself together in the testimony which both should give for their common Lord. The testimony which Christ gave before Pilate (Ti1 6:12-13), is an incentive to the believer that he should, after His Lord's example, witness a good testimony or confession. nor of me his prisoner--The cause of God's servants is the cause of God Himself (Eph 4:1). Timothy might easily be tempted to be ashamed of one in prison, especially as not only worldly shame, but great risk, attended any recognition of Paul the prisoner. be thou partaker--with me. of the gospel--rather, as Greek, "for the Gospel," that is, suffered for the Gospel (Ti2 2:3-5; Plm 1:13). according to the power of God--exhibited in having saved and called us (Ti2 1:9). God who has done the greater act of power (that is, saved us), will surely do the less (carry us safe through afflictions borne for the Gospel). "Think not that thou hast to bear these afflictions by thine own power; nay, it is by the power of God. It was a greater exercise of power than His making the heaven, His persuading the world to embrace salvation" [CHRYSOSTOM].

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

therefore--seeing that God hath given us such a spirit, not that of fear.

Be not thou . . . ashamed--I agree with ELLICOTT, in opposition to ALFORD, that the Greek subjunctive here, with the negative, implies action completed at one time, not continued action, which the present imperative would express; thus implying that Timothy had not decidedly yet evinced such feeling of shame; though I think, Paul, amidst the desertion of others who once promised fair, and from being aware of Timothy's constitutional timidity (see on Ti2 1:7), felt it necessary to stir him up and guard him against the possibility of unchristian dereliction of duty as to bold confession of Christ. Shame (Ti2 1:8) is the companion of fear (Ti2 1:7); if fear be overcome, false shame flees [BENGEL]. Paul himself (Ti2 1:12), and Onesiphorus (Ti2 1:16), were instances of fearless profession removing false shame. He presents in contrast sad instances of fear and shame (Ti2 1:15).

of the testimony of our Lord--of the testimony which thou art bound to give in the cause of our Lord; he says "our," to connect Timothy and himself together in the testimony which both should give for their common Lord. The testimony which Christ gave before Pilate (Ti1 6:12-13), is an incentive to the believer that he should, after His Lord's example, witness a good testimony or confession.

nor of me his prisoner--The cause of God's servants is the cause of God Himself (Eph 4:1). Timothy might easily be tempted to be ashamed of one in prison, especially as not only worldly shame, but great risk, attended any recognition of Paul the prisoner.

be thou partaker--with me.

of the gospel--rather, as Greek, "for the Gospel," that is, suffered for the Gospel (Ti2 2:3-5; Plm 1:13).

according to the power of God--exhibited in having saved and called us (Ti2 1:9). God who has done the greater act of power (that is, saved us), will surely do the less (carry us safe through afflictions borne for the Gospel). "Think not that thou hast to bear these afflictions by thine own power; nay, it is by the power of God. It was a greater exercise of power than His making the heaven, His persuading the world to embrace salvation" [CHRYSOSTOM].

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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; Joh 3:11, Joh 3:32-33; Joh 7:7; compare Act 10:22; Act 20:24; Co1 1:6; Rev 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 Eph 3:1; Eph 6:20; Phi 1:13-14, Phi 1:16; Col 4:3, Col 4:18; Plm 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 Col 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.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Be not ashamed (μὴ ἐπαισχυνθῇς) See on Luk 9:26. Testimony (μαρτύριον) See on Ti1 2:6. His prisoner (δέσμιον αὐτοῦ) Paul styles himself the prisoner of the Lord, Eph 3:1; Eph 4:1, Plm 1:9. Only here in Pastorals. Not in a figurative sense, one who belongs to Christ, but one who is imprisoned because of his labors as an apostle of Christ. On Paul's supposed second imprisonment, see Introd. IV. Be partaker of the afflictions (συνκακοπάθησον) Only here and Ti2 2:3. olxx, oClass. The compounded συν with, not with the gospel, as Rev., but with me. Share afflictions with me for the gospel. According to the power of God Which enables him to endure hardness. Connect with be partaker, etc.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Therefore be not thou ashamed - When fear is banished, evil shame also flees away. Of the testimony of our Lord - The gospel, and of testifying the truth of it to all men. Nor of me - The cause of the servants of God doing his work, cannot be separated from the cause of God himself. But be thou partaker of the afflictions - Which I endure for the gospel's sake. According to the power of God - This which overcomes all things is nervously described in the two next verses.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
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, Rom 1:16 (note), said, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. 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, honorable, 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.

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⁹ Who [3588] hath saved [4982] us [2248], and [2532] called [2564] us with an holy [40] calling [2821], not [3756] according to [2596] our [2257] works [2041], but [235] according to [2596] his own [2398] purpose [4286] and [2532] grace [5485], which [3588] was given [1325] us [2254] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424] before [4253] the world began [5550] [166],

¹³ Whom [3739] I [1473] would [1014] have retained [2722] with [4314] me [1683], that [2443] in thy [4675] stead [5228] he might have ministered [1247] unto me [3427] in [1722] the bonds [1199] of the gospel [2098]:

³ Thou [4771] therefore [3767] endure hardness [2553], as [5613] a good [2570] soldier [4757] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].
⁴ No man [3762] that warreth [4754] entangleth himself [1707] with the affairs [4230] of this life [979]; that [2443] he may please [700] him who hath chosen him to be a soldier [4758].
⁵ And [1161] if [1437] a man [5100] also [2532] strive [118] for masteries, yet is he [4737] not [3756] crowned [4737], except [3362] he strive [118] lawfully [3545].

¹ I [1473] therefore [3767], the prisoner [1198] of [1722] the Lord [2962], beseech [3870] you [5209] that ye walk [4043] worthy [516] of the vocation [2821] wherewith [3739] ye are called [2564],

¹² Fight [75] the good [2570] fight [73] of faith [4102], lay hold on [1949] eternal [166] life [2222], whereunto [1519] [3739] thou art [2564] also [2532] called [2564], and [2532] hast professed [3670] a good [2570] profession [3671] before [1799] many [4183] witnesses [3144].
¹³ I give [3853] thee [4671] charge [3853] in the sight [1799] of God [2316], who [3588] quickeneth [2227] all things [3956], and [2532] before Christ [5547] Jesus [2424], who [3588] before [1909] Pontius [4194] Pilate [4091] witnessed [3140] a good [2570] confession [3671];

¹⁵ This [5124] thou knowest [1492], that [3754] all [3956] they which are in [1722] Asia [773] be turned away from [654] me [3165]; of whom [3739] are [2076] Phygellus [5436] and [2532] Hermogenes [2061].

¹⁶ The Lord [2962] give [1325] mercy [1656] unto the house [3624] of Onesiphorus [3683]; for [3754] he [404] oft [4178] refreshed [404] me [3165], and [2532] was [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870] of my [3450] chain [254]:

¹² For [1223] the which [3739] cause [156] I [3958] also [2532] suffer [3958] these things [5023]: nevertheless [235] I am [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870]: for [1063] I know [1492] whom [3739] I have believed [4100], and [2532] am persuaded [3982] that [3754] he is [2076] able [1415] to keep [5442] that which I [3450] have committed unto him [3866] against [1519] that [1565] day [2250].

⁷ For [1063] God [2316] hath [1325] not [3756] given [1325] us [2254] the spirit [4151] of fear [1167]; but [235] of power [1411], and [2532] of love [26], and [2532] of a sound mind [4995].

⁸ Be [1870] not [3361] thou [1870] therefore [3767] ashamed [1870] of the testimony [3142] of our [2257] Lord [2962], nor [3366] of me [1691] his [846] prisoner [1198]: but [235] be thou partaker of the afflictions [4777] of the gospel [2098] according to [2596] the power [1411] of God [2316];

⁷ For [1063] God [2316] hath [1325] not [3756] given [1325] us [2254] the spirit [4151] of fear [1167]; but [235] of power [1411], and [2532] of love [26], and [2532] of a sound mind [4995].

²⁴ Who [3739] now [3568] rejoice [5463] in [1722] my [3450] sufferings [3804] for [5228] you [5216], and [2532] fill up [466] that which is behind [5303] of the afflictions [2347] of Christ [5547] in [1722] my [3450] flesh [4561] for [5228] his [846] body's [4983] sake [5228], which is [3603] the church [1577]:

⁹ Yet for [1223] love's [26] sake I [3870] rather [3123] beseech [3870] thee, being [5607] such an one [5108] as [5613] Paul [3972] the aged [4246], and [1161] now [3570] also [2532] a prisoner [1198] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].

¹⁸ The salutation [783] by the hand [5495] of me [1699] Paul [3972]. Remember [3421] my [3450] bonds [1199]. Grace [5485] be with [3326] you [5216]. Amen [281].

³ Withal [260] praying [4336] also [2532] for [4012] us [2257], that [2443] God [2316] would open [455] unto us [2254] a door [2374] of utterance [3056], to speak [2980] the mystery [3466] of Christ [5547], for [1223] which [3739] I am [1210] also [2532] in bonds [1210]:

¹⁶ The one [3303] preach [2605] Christ [5547] of [1537] contention [2052], not [3756] sincerely [55], supposing [3633] to add [2018] affliction [2347] to my [3450] bonds [1199]:

¹³ So that [5620] my [3450] bonds [1199] in [1722] Christ [5547] are [1096] manifest [5318] in [1722] all [3650] the palace [4232], and [2532] in all [3956] other [3062] places;
¹⁴ And [2532] many [4119] of the brethren [80] in [1722] the Lord [2962], waxing confident [3982] by my [3450] bonds [1199], are much more [4056] bold [5111] to speak [2980] the word [3056] without fear [870].

²⁰ For [5228] which [3739] I am an ambassador [4243] in [1722] bonds [254]: that [2443] therein [1722] [846] I may speak boldly [3955], as [5613] I [3165] ought [1163] to speak [2980].

¹ For this [5127] cause [5484] I [1473] Paul [3972], the prisoner [1198] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] for [5228] you [5216] Gentiles [1484],

¹⁶ I [1473] Jesus [2424] have sent [3992] mine [3450] angel [32] to testify [3140] unto you [5213] these things [5023] in [1909] the churches [1577]. I [1473] am [1510] the root [4491] and [2532] the offspring [1085] of David [1138], and the bright [2986] and [2532] morning [3720] star [792].

⁶ Even as [2531] the testimony [3142] of Christ [5547] was confirmed [950] in [1722] you [5213]:

²⁴ But [235] none [3762] of these things [3056] move me [4160], neither [3761] count I [2192] my [3450] life [5590] dear [5093] unto myself [1683], so [5613] that I might finish [5048] my [3450] course [1408] with [3326] joy [5479], and [2532] the ministry [1248], which [3739] I have received [2983] of [3844] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424], to testify [1263] the gospel [2098] of the grace [5485] of God [2316].

²² And [1161] they said [2036], Cornelius [2883] the centurion [1543], a just [1342] man [435], and [2532] one that feareth [5399] God [2316], and [5037] of good report [3140] among [5259] all [3650] the nation [1484] of the Jews [2453], was warned from God [5537] by [5259] an holy [40] angel [32] to send [3343] for thee [4571] into [1519] his [846] house [3624], and [2532] to hear [191] words [4487] of [3844] thee [4675].

⁷ The world [2889] cannot [3756] [1410] hate [3404] you [5209]; but [1161] me [1691] it hateth [3404], because [3754] I [1473] testify [3140] of [4012] it [846], that [3754] the works [2041] thereof [846] are [2076] evil [4190].

³² And [2532] what [3739] he hath seen [3708] and [2532] heard [191], that [5124] he testifieth [3140]; and [2532] no man [3762] receiveth [2983] his [846] testimony [3141].
³³ He that hath received [2983] his [846] testimony [3141] hath set to his seal [4972] that [3754] God [2316] is [2076] true [227].

¹¹ Verily [281], verily [281], I say [3004] unto thee [4671], We speak [2980] that [3754] [3739] we do know [1492], and [2532] testify [3140] that [3739] we have seen [3708]; and [2532] ye receive [2983] not [3756] our [2257] witness [3141].

³ Thou [4771] therefore [3767] endure hardness [2553], as [5613] a good [2570] soldier [4757] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].

¹ I [1473] therefore [3767], the prisoner [1198] of [1722] the Lord [2962], beseech [3870] you [5209] that ye walk [4043] worthy [516] of the vocation [2821] wherewith [3739] ye are called [2564],

¹ For this [5127] cause [5484] I [1473] Paul [3972], the prisoner [1198] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] for [5228] you [5216] Gentiles [1484],

⁶ Who [3588] gave [1325] himself [1438] a ransom [487] for [5228] all [3956], to be testified [3142] in due [2398] time [2540].

²⁶ For [1063] whosoever [3739] [302] shall be ashamed [1870] of me [3165] and [2532] of my [1699] words [3056], of him [5126] shall [1870] the Son [5207] of man [444] be ashamed [1870], when [3752] he shall come [2064] in [1722] his own [846] glory [1391], and [2532] in his Father's [3962], and [2532] of the holy [40] angels [32].

¹⁶ For [1063] I am [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870] of the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547]: for [1063] it is [2076] the power [1411] of God [2316] unto [1519] salvation [4991] to every one [3956] that believeth [4100]; to the Jew [2453] first [4412], and [5037] also [2532] to the Greek [1672].