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;
Original Language Analysis
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 20
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 20
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαρτύριον
of the testimony
G3142
μαρτύριον
of the testimony
Strong's:
G3142
Word #:
5 of 20
something evidential, i.e., (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the decalogue (in the sacred tabernacle)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
Lord
G2962
κυρίου
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
7 of 20
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
14 of 20
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
συγκακοπάθησον
be thou partaker of the afflictions
G4777
συγκακοπάθησον
be thou partaker of the afflictions
Strong's:
G4777
Word #:
15 of 20
to suffer hardship in company with
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατὰ
according to
G2596
κατὰ
according to
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
18 of 20
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Cross References
Romans 1:16For 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 8:38Whosoever 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.Revelation 12:11And 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 4:5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.2 Timothy 2:9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.2 Timothy 1:12For 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.Ephesians 3:1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,Luke 9:26For 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.Ephesians 4:1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2 Timothy 1:16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
Historical Context
Shame was a powerful social force in the ancient world. Honor and reputation determined social standing, business opportunities, and family status. Association with criminals or executed persons brought profound shame affecting one's entire household. Paul's imprisonment wasn't house arrest but harsh confinement as condemned criminal awaiting execution. Roman citizens convicted of capital crimes were typically beheaded. The gospel's shame came from multiple directions. Jews considered executed criminals cursed by God (Deuteronomy 21:23). Romans viewed crucifixion as shameful slave punishment. Sophisticated Greeks considered resurrection absurd (Acts 17:32).
Questions for Reflection
- In what situations are you tempted to downplay your Christian identity or soften gospel truth to avoid shame or rejection?
- How does viewing Christian ministry as partnership in Christ's sufferings rather than career success change your expectations?
- What would it look like to rely on "the power of God" rather than human wisdom when facing hostility to the gospel?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. Paul commands Timothy not to be "ashamed" (epaischynthēs, ἐπαισχυνθῇς) of Christ's testimony or Paul's imprisonment. In honor-shame culture, association with a convicted criminal brought shame and social stigma. The gospel's "scandal of the cross" (1 Corinthians 1:23)—proclaiming a crucified Messiah—was foolishness to Greeks and stumbling block to Jews. Cultural pressure to distance oneself from disreputable associations was intense.
"The testimony of our Lord" (to martyrion tou kyriou, τὸ μαρτύριον τοῦ κυρίου) is the gospel message about Jesus—His deity, incarnation, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, exclusive claim as only way to God. This testimony inevitably provokes opposition from a world that hates Christ (John 15:18-20). The term martyrion connects to "martyr"—faithful witnesses often suffered death for testimony.
Paul calls Timothy to "be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel" (sygkakopathēson, συγκακοπαθήσον)—"suffer hardship together with the gospel." Christian ministry isn't career advancement but costly identification with Christ's sufferings (Philippians 3:10). However, this suffering isn't in human strength but "according to the power of God" (kata dynamin theou, κατὰ δύναμιν θεοῦ).