I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED

Passage: 2 Timothy 1:8-12

Key verse: 12b

NIV

8 So do not be ashamed(A) of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.(B) Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel,(C) by the power of God. 9 He has saved(D) us and called(E) us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done(F) but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed(G) through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus,(H) who has destroyed death(I) and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel(J) I was appointed(K) a herald and an apostle and a teacher.(L) 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame,(M) because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard(N) what I have entrusted to him until that day.(O)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

8 Therefore (A)do not be ashamed of (B)the testimony about our Lord, nor of (C)me his prisoner, but (D)share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 (E)who saved us and (F)called us to[a] a holy calling, (G)not because of our works but because of (H)his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus (I)before the ages began,[b] 10 and which now has (J)been manifested through (K)the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, (L)who abolished death and (M)brought life and (N)immortality to light through the gospel, 11 (O)for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 (P)which is why I suffer as I do. But (Q)I am not ashamed, for (R)I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until (S)that day (T)what has been entrusted to me.[c]

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Timothy 1:9 Or with
  2. 2 Timothy 1:9 Greek before times eternal
  3. 2 Timothy 1:12 Or what I have entrusted to him; Greek my deposit
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Do not be ashamed to testify (8-1

)

Paul invited Timothy to join him in suffering for the gospel. He challenged him to testify about Jesus boldly, for Jesus saved us and called us to live a holy life. A holy life is a forgiven life; it is a life of mission. What a privilege it is to live a holy and meaningful life in times full of confusion and sinsickness. This is God's grace. God's grace and purpose were revealed when he sent Jesus as he had planned before the beginning of time. Jesus destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light.

2. I am not ashamed of this gospel (11-12)

It looked as if Paul's life was a failure. He had worked hard for the gospel, but now he was in chains in a Roman jail. All of his co-workers had deserted him. But he was not ashamed of his life or of his situation because he had a personal love relationship with Jesus. He had entrusted his heart and life to God.

Prayer: Lord, I know you and I believe you. I have entrusted my heart and life to you. Guard my heart and help me to be faithful to the end.

One Word: I know whom I have believed