2 Timothy 1:8

In view of the Holy Spirit’s enablement just mentioned, Paul instructed Timothy not to let others intimidate him. The aorist tense of the Greek verb translated "be ashamed" (epaischunthes) indicates that Paul was not implying that Timothy was already guilty of this. Because of opposition Timothy had evidently experienced temptation to demonstrate some sign of embarrassment with the gospel and with Paul, perhaps because he was in prison. [Note: See my comments on 4:16.] The apostle reminded Timothy that he was in prison as Christ’s prisoner. Paul consistently referred to himself as Christ’s prisoner (cf. Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 4:1; Philemon 1:1; Philemon 1:9). He viewed himself as in prison for no other reason than that he served Christ. The Lord had placed him there, so there was no reason to feel ashamed about that. Rather, Timothy should join his mentor in suffering for the gospel, not by being imprisoned with him necessarily, but by proclaiming it boldly (cf. Romans 1:16). God would empower him to stand tall by His grace. [Note: See Gregory S. MaGee, "Paul’s Response to the Shame and Pain of Imprisonment in 2 Timothy," Bibliotheca Sacra 165:659 (July-September 2008):338-53.]

"Paul categorizes this behavior very strongly in terms of the values of honor and shame that were central to that culture. . . . In this setting, the point is not so much that Timothy feels embarrassment or shame and so fails to give a witness, but more that by his failure he is discrediting or shaming the ones mentioned" [Note: Towner, The Letters . . ., p. 463.]

"What the Spirit provides is power to endure the stress that comes from bearing witness to God, not removal to some safe place." [Note: Ibid., p. 466.]