2 Timothy 1:8-12 (NKJV) Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who 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 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
V8 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God…” Because of the facts and statement in 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul encourages Timothy not to be ashamed of the Lord Jesus’s testimony (His 3.5 years of ministry, teaching, and the Cross, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension) and my testimony, which is the same. Continue preaching and teaching, this is your call and commission; don’t let fear and your sensitivity side track you. Timothy was faithful as the church leader in Ephesus. God’s power helps and protects until the time of your ministry is over. God’s power is God’s assisting grace that we need every day. See Colossians 1:10-11.
V9 “…who 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…” The church (believers) are called to be a witness, are given a gift/s, are given opportunities for a ministry (music, helpers, teachers, etc.), and are to be a ready sharer of the Gospel. God’s calling is holy. As it has been said, “God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.” We are the called. Start praying, reading, and studying the Scriptures preparing for your ministry. What we do does not earn us salvation, nor assist our salvation. It is by faith (Genesis 15:6, Galatians 3:24, and John 3:14-15). Faith is not a work (Romans 4:1-5). God has a purpose for every believer. God’s foreknowledge (foresight, prescience) knew us from before the beginning for believers to serve Him.
V10 “…but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel…” Jesus’s ministry was planned before the beginning of time to be THE Messiah, and His ministry was, is, and will be accomplished. One of the purposes was to destroy death (Hebrews 2:14). Two other purposes are mentioned by Paul: 1) life and 2) immortality. Life was destroyed in Adam and Eve. Their soul and spirit died to God; life was gone. Now, do to the ministry of the Lord Jesus as savior, life can be restored by regenerating us by His grace. Immortality refers to eternal life.
V11 “…to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” Paul had his commission, so all Christians do also.
V12 “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” “I suffer,” says Paul, “but I am not ashamed of Jesus Christ. Remember these verses:
John 15:5 (TCENT) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
Philippians 4:13 (TCENT) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.