Paul’s great confidence in the gospel shines through these words. He can even welcome his suffering because of the reason it is happening (v 8). His whole focus here is good news in Jesus, encapsulated in verse 10. That leads him to have this confidence in who he is, not who he is in his own strength, or in his own abilities, but because of who he is in Christ (v 11). He knows that what strengths he has are because of Jesus. 

Paul wrote in Romans 12 that we should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought (Romans 12:3). His words here also imply that we should have a right opinion of ourselves, one which recognises who and what we are in Christ – we are the result ‘of his own purpose and grace’ (v 9). Paul is confident in his salvation, his calling and appointing; confident in his message and is confident that his suffering – abandoned (v 15) and in prison – is part of that. Notice, too, Paul’s thankfulness to Onesiphorus – ‘not ashamed’ – whose humble faithfulness has helped him in this work of the gospel (vs 16–18).

God blessed us, saved us and called us to serve him. Are we faithful?

Paul’s personal testimony (vs 8–12) begins with a confession that God saved him and called him ‘to a holy life’ (v 9). The next part of this verse picks up his central theme in Romans: ‘not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace … given us in Christ Jesus’. Grace is central to his theology; only through grace can we be united with Christ. This hidden grace has now been revealed to the human race ‘through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus’ (v 10). At his first coming, Christ destroyed death through his own death on the cross.¹ Paul was appointed ‘a herald and an apostle and a teacher’ (v 11) and his preaching of the gospel had cost him much in suffering and persecution, but he trusted in the God who called him. 

Paul admonishes Timothy to keep the ‘pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus’ (v 13). Doctrine is to be lived and proclaimed with faith and love. Paul had entrusted preaching and teaching to Timothy. This goal could not be accomplished in one’s own human strength, but only ‘with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us’ (v 14). Are you guarding what God has given you?

Paul laments his desertion. Those must have been lonely hours for the aged apostle in prison, facing almost certain death and forsaken by his friends. It is difficult for us to understand why God’s servants, who have given themselves in sacrificial service to others, should suffer like this at the end – but Paul knew that the glory of the next life would repay it all. Pray for Indian missionaries and others who are working alone in tribal areas and often feel alone and deserted, that God will comfort them and encourage them in his strength.

Lord, help us to be faithful and guard what you have entrusted to us.

¹ Cf Heb 2:14