2 Timothy 1:8

Since we have been given this spirit that is not of fear, we are not to be ashamed. Specifically, we are not to be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord. Jesus Christ is Lord. In addition, Paul tells Timothy to also not be ashamed of him. Perhaps there was reason to be ashamed of Paul. Paul was running around telling people about Jesus. There were certainly opponents to Paul and what he was saying. It wasn't necessarily the most popular message and Paul wasn't the most popular person. However, Timothy shouldn't be ashamed of Paul either. Siding with Jesus and siding with Paul will result in suffering. It was tempting to be ashamed of them, but Paul doesn't say that the alternative is to be proud of the testimony of the Lord and be proud of Paul. Instead, Paul tells Timothy that instead of being ashamed, he is to share in suffering. To not be ashamed is to share in suffering; it is to not be afraid of the suffering that is to come by boldly proclaiming the testimony of Jesus Christ. This suffering that will come is not just any suffering. You can't randomly stub your toe while you're casually walking around comfortably at home and call that the suffering that Paul is talking about. He specifies it by saying that the suffering is for the gospel. This is the suffering Paul tells Timothy to share in. How is he to share in this suffering? He is to share in the suffering for the gospel by the power of God. How will you receive this suffering and how will you endure it? It is by the power of God that Timothy is told to share in this suffering.