2 Timothy 1 · Verse 8

2 Timothy 1:8

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;

2 Timothy 1:8, King James Version

2 Timothy 1:8 in other translations

BSB	So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
WEB	Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,
ASV	Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God;
YLT	therefore thou mayest not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but do thou suffer evil along with the good news according to the power of God,
DARBY	Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but suffer evil along with the glad tidings, according to the power of God;
BBE	Have no feeling of shame, then, for the witness of our Lord or for me, his prisoner: but undergo all things for the good news in the measure of the power of God;
Webster	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;

What does 2 Timothy 1:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

8. 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 2Ti 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 (2Ti 1:8) is the companion of fear (2Ti 1:7); if fear be overcome, false shame flees [Bengel]. Paul himself (2Ti 1:12), and Onesiphorus (2Ti 1:16), were instances of fearless profession removing false shame. He presents in contrast sad instances of fear and shame (2Ti 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 (1Ti 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 (Ep 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 (2Ti 2:3-5; Phm 13). according to the power of God--exhibited in having saved and called us (2Ti 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].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 8. 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. Jn 3:11,32,33, 7:7. Comp. Acts 10:42, 20:24; 1Cor 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. Comp. Eph 3:1, 6:20, Php 1:13,14,16; Col 4:3,18, Phm 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. Comp. 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.

(d) "partaker" Col 1:24

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 8 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:6-14

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to him, which will carry us through opposition. And the spirit of a sound mind, quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to…

Read the full comment on 2 Timothy 1:6-14 →

2 Timothy 1:8 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΜὴMēNotG3361

οὖνounthereforeG3767

ἐπαισχυνθῇςepaischunthēasyou may be ashamed ofG1870

τὸtotheG3588

μαρτύριονmarturiontestimonyG3142

τοῦtouof theG3588

κυρίουkuriouLordG2962

ἡμῶνhēmōnof usG3165

μηδὲmēdenorG3366

ἐμὲemeof me myselfG1473

τὸνtontheG3588

δέσμιονdesmionprisonerG1198

αὐτοῦ,autouof Him,G846

ἀλλὰallabutG235

συγκακοπάθησονsugkakopathēsondo suffer togetherG4777

τῷtōfor theG3588

εὐαγγελίῳeuangeliōgospelG2098

κατὰkataaccording toG2596

δύναμινdunamin[the] powerG1411

θεοῦtheouof GodG2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Timothy 1:8

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Mark 8:38
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
1 Peter 4:13-15
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
2 Timothy 4:5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause 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 that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Timothy 2:9
Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
Ephesians 3:1
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Philippians 3:10
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Luke 9:26
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Timothy 1:16
The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

ashamed.
12; Ps 119:46; Isa 51:7; Mr 8:38; Lu 9:26; Ac 5:41; Ro 1:16; 9:33
Eph 3:13; 1Pe 4:14
the testimony.
Ps 19:7; Isa 8:20; Joh 15:27; 19:35; Eph 4:17; 1Ti 2:6; 1Jo 4:14
1Jo 5:11,12; Re 1:2; 12:11; 19:10
his prisoner.
16; 2:9; Eph 3:1; 4:1; Php 1:7
be thou.
2:3,11,12; 4:5; Ro 8:17,18,36; 1Co 4:9-13; 2Co 11:23-27; Php 3:10
Col 1:24; 1Th 3:4; 1Pe 4:13-15; Re 1:9; 12:11
according.
4:17; Ro 16:25; 2Co 6:7; 12:9,10; Php 4:13; Col 1:11; 1Pe 1:5
Jude 1:24

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:8
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;
2 Timothy 1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Read all of 2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 1:8 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Por tanto no te avergüences del testimonio de nuestro Señor, ni de mí, preso suyo; antes sé participante de los trabajos del evangelio según la virtud de Dios,
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	N’aie donc pas honte du témoignage de notre Seigneur, ni de moi son prisonnier, mais prends part aux souffrances de l’évangile, selon la puissance de Dieu,
German Elberfelder 1871	So schäme dich nun nicht des Zeugnisses unseres Herrn noch meiner, seines Gefangenen, sondern leide Trübsal mit dem Evangelium, nach der Kraft Gottes;
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Noli itaque erubescere testimonium Domini nostri, neque me vinctum ejus: sed collabora Evangelio secundum virtutem Dei: