John Calvin Commentary 2 Timothy 2:9

"wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound." — 2 Timothy 2:9 (ASV)

In which I am a sufferer. This is an anticipation, because his imprisonment lessened the credibility of his gospel in the eyes of ignorant people. He, therefore, acknowledges that, in outward appearance, he was imprisoned like a criminal; but he adds that his imprisonment did not hinder the gospel from having free course; and not only that, but what he suffers is beneficial to the elect, because it serves to confirm them. Such is the unshaken courage of Christ's martyrs when the consciousness of being engaged in a good cause lifts them above the world, so that from a lofty position, they look down with contempt not only on bodily pains and agonies but on every kind of disgrace.

Moreover, all godly persons ought to strengthen themselves with this consideration when they see ministers of the gospel attacked and abused by adversaries, so that they do not, on that account, cherish less reverence for doctrine, but instead give glory to God, by whose power they see it burst through all the hindrances of the world.

Indeed, if we were not excessively devoted to the flesh, this consolation alone ought to have been sufficient for us in the midst of persecutions: that even if we are oppressed by the cruelty of the wicked, the gospel is nevertheless extended and more widely spread; for, whatever they may attempt, they are so far from obscuring or extinguishing the light of the gospel that it burns all the more brightly. Let us therefore bear cheerfully, or at least patiently, having both our body and reputation imprisoned, provided that God's truth breaks through those fetters and is spread far and wide.