II Timothy 1-2

“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2:3). Paul was encouraging Timothy during a time when following Jesus meant rejection, mockery, and sometimes physical suffering. Paul exhorted Timothy to “not be ashamed” (v8), but to meet these challenges courageously, with the “power and love and discipline” of the Spirit (v7). Some believers fell away (v15), but Paul rejoiced that others, like Onesiphorus, “was not ashamed of my chains” (v16).

The crucified but alive Messiah offering salvation to the world seemed ridiculous. But Paul said, “I know whom I have believed” (v12), and knowing Christ was enough.