B. Suffer for the Gospel (1:8-12a)

Fear and/or ridicule are not to cause Timothy to be ashamed of the Gospel or of those who suffer for its sake. The negative command, Do not be ashamed, is rapidly followed by the positive command, Join with me in suffering for the gospel (v.8). This is possible only through God’s saving us and calling us to a holy life; the Greek is emphatic, “called with a holy calling” (v.9). Purpose and grace (v.9) clearly shows that God’s purpose is joined with grace and has nothing to do with our works (see Eph. 2:8). The beginning of time (v.9) refers to that which God planned even before creation, but which was revealed only when Christ came in the flesh (v.10).

V.10 succinctly presents the main tenets of the Gospel. To light indicates the spiritual darkness and, metaphorically, the ignorance that characterized humankind before the revealing of Christ. On v.11 see 1Ti 2:7. Because of this appointment, Paul suffers (v.12).