What is 2 Tim 1.8-18 reference?

Answer 1

This was the second letter from the Apostle Paul to another disciple named Timothy, whom Paul helped groom into a fine overseer in his own right. Paul was writing this letter while he was imprisoned in Rome for preaching the good news.

In verses 6-8, of 2 Timothy, Paul is encouraging Timothy to remain steadfast and to keep the fire of the spirit figuratively "burning". This was in order that he may not let fear of men or the persecution that often came upon a person preaching the good news, stop him or freeze him with fear. Paul reminds him that he was not given a spirit of cowardice, but one of power and love.

In verses 9-11, he reminds Timothy that Jesus conquered death and that he need not fear it. He also reminds Timothy that it was nothing Timothy, himself, did in order to gain this spirit of power and love, but it was given to him out of undeserved kindness from God, and that is how they received this holy calling to preach the good news. It was a reminder to not think that it is up to God's servants to fulfill God's work, it is really God that does it through his willing servants.

In verses 12-14, Paul lets Timothy know that he is still remaining strong despite being harshly imprisoned and suffering on account of preaching the good news about Christ. He understands that he might indeed suffer until death for his stand on preaching, but is confident in his faith that death would not be the end for him if he remains faithful. He likens God to one "guarding" this memory of his faithfulness. He then encourages Timothy to also keep the faith and love that Paul taught him about. He instructs Timothy to guard it and let it remain within him.

In Verses 15-18 he first gives a report about some that had fallen away in one of the Asian regions. He then mentions a disciple named Onesiphorus, as a person who treated him very kindly and has taken care of him while he was imprisoned. He asks for God to be with his whole family because of this service he had done towards Paul.