“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” (1 Timothy 1:13-14, NKJV)

This was one of the saddest things in Paul’s life. In Ephesus, where Paul had done his greatest work, and where almost the whole city turned to Christ, the false teachers had so gotten the upper hand that they were able to make capital out of Paul’s arrest and turn the church against him at the time when he needed their love and sympathy more than ever.

The imprisonment Paul suffers is not because he has failed in any way, but because he has steadfastly upheld the gospel. He has carried out the work God gave him to do. Therefore, his imprisonment neither causes him shame nor weakens his confidence. He knows that God will be faithful to him and will preserve the gospel, no matter how severe the persecution. Timothy also must stand firm and, with the help of God’s Spirit, uphold the message of truth that God has entrusted to him.

We may not suffer the same suffering and persecution, but just the same, we must hold fast to the message that we receive. With the help of the Spirit we can uphold it.

Sources:

MySword for Android. Riversoft Ministry, 2011-2019.

Olive Tree Bible Software, 1998-2020.

http://www.biblegateway.com

Published by Pastorbluejeans Unplugged

Friend of a Jewish Carpenter. View all posts by Pastorbluejeans Unplugged