John Calvin Commentary 2 Timothy 1:8

"Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God;" — 2 Timothy 1:8 (ASV)

Be not ashamed, therefore. He said this because the confession of the gospel was regarded as disgraceful; and therefore he forbids that either ambition or the fear of disgrace should prevent or hinder him from the freedom of preaching the gospel. And he infers this from what has already been said; for he who is armed with the power of God will not tremble at the noise raised by the world, but will consider it honorable that wicked men mark him with disgrace.

And justly does he call the gospel the testimony of our Lord; because, although he has no need of our assistance, yet he assigns us this duty, that we should give “testimony” to him for maintaining his glory. It is a great and distinguished honor which he confers upon us, and, indeed, upon all (for there is no Christian that ought not to consider himself a witness of Christ), but especially pastors and teachers, as Christ said to the apostles—

Ye shall be witnesses to me (Acts 1:8).

Accordingly, the more hateful the doctrine of the gospel is in the world, the more earnestly should they strive to confess it openly.

When he adds, nor of me; by this phrase he reminds Timothy not to refuse to be his companion, as in a cause common to them both. For, when we begin to withdraw from the company of those who suffer persecution for the name of Christ, what else do we seek than that the gospel should be free from all persecution?

Now, although there was no shortage of wicked men who thus ridiculed Timothy—“Do you not see what has happened to your master? Do you not know that the same reward also awaits you? Why do you urge upon us a doctrine which you see is hissed at by the whole world?”—still he must have been encouraged by this exhortation—“You have no reason to be ashamed of me, in that which is not shameful, for I am Christ’s prisoner;” that is, “Not for any crime or evil deed, but for his name I am kept in prison.”

But be thou a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel. He lays down a method by which what he instructs can be done; that is, if Timothy prepares himself for enduring the afflictions which are connected with the gospel.

Anyone who revolts at and shrinks from the cross will always be ashamed of the gospel. Not without good reason, therefore, does Paul, while he exhorts to boldness of confession, so that he may not exhort in vain, also speak to him about bearing the cross.

He adds, according to the power of God; because, without this, and if he did not support us, we would immediately sink under the load.

This clause contains both admonition and consolation. The admonition is to turn away his eyes from his present weakness and, relying on the assistance of God, to venture and undertake what is beyond his strength. The consolation is that if we endure anything on account of the gospel, God will come forth as our deliverer, so that by his power, we may obtain the victory.