Bear the suffering, shed the shame...

Lectio Reflections: 2 Tim 1:6-14

Looking at suffering and saying no to shame through the chiastic structure of 2 Tim 1:6-14

Here is the rough draft, check back in a week or so...

A1 ⁶ And for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the 
         laying on of my hands.

      B1⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

          C1 ⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but 
                   join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

               D1 ⁹ who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, 
                        but according  to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in
                        Christ Jesus from all eternity,

                     E ¹⁰ but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,

                             who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through 
                             the gospel,

              D2 ¹¹ for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

         C2 ¹²  For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom 
                    I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have
                    entrusted to Him until that day.

      B2 ¹³ Retain the standard of sound words (teaching) which you have heard from me, 
                 in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

A2 ¹⁴ Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted
           to you.

Gift- χάρισμα (charisma A1, :6), literally a gift of grace (in context of a gift from God) correlates to καλός  (kalos cf. A2, :14)  “beautiful or good”, which is translated as treasure (NASB) or good (ESV)  The BDAG lexicon gives further insight (Hom.+; pert. to meeting high standards or expectations of appearance, kind, or quality) The gift of grace was of the highest quality, as it came from God, and can be considered a spiritual gift “For by grace you have been saved…it is a gift from God” (Eph 2:8). 

Evidence that Paul is talking about a specific gift can be seen in its origin, imparted by the laying on of hands A1, and the call to cultivate the gift: to kindle afresh ἀναζωπυρεῖν (anazorupein) kindle into flame, cause to blaze again, or to cause to begin again (2Ti 1:6 BGT) (A1) and guard (A2) φυλάσσω (fulasso A2 vs 12; 14) “to protect by taking special measures…so that it is not lost” (BDAG).  

This begs the question, how does one kindle afresh his spiritual gift? As the presence of the Holy Spirit is necessary to the cultivating of one’s spiritual gift (A2), It would imply the presence of the Spirit is also involved in the process to kindle afresh the gift He gave.  It would merit further study regarding the relationship of the quality of one’s spiritual walk (abiding in Christ) to the effectiveness of one’s spiritual ministry (as related to their spiritual gift).

Paul encouraged Timothy to guard his calling to teach, through the giving of sound words ( or teaching -NIV) :13 B2).

The specific gift Paul urged Timithy to rekindle was the giving of “sound words  or teaching” -NIV Vs 13 B2  (cf 2 Tim 2:2-3). Paul encourages Timothy to train others to teach in the context of suffering.

God has given Timothy a spirit (πνεῦμ) or “ability to animate” power, love, and discipline vs 7, B1)  that will enable him to stand firm in faith and love (v:13 B2).

(C1 –C2) Timothy can bear the suffering and shed the shame by trusting in the power of God. The source of this power comes from one’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ and his work on the cross :10, E)  “for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able…” (v:12, C2).

The BDAG refers to Kalos as  “2. pert. to being in accordance at a high level w. the purpose of someth. or someone, good, useful,” (Emphasis mine). The spiritual gift was given for a specific purpose (cf: vs :9, 11 or D1-2), and has been deposited, or entrusted παραθήκην (paratheken) in or to the believer.

The context of “the purpose” relates to the calling and/or appointment of the believer, in this case Paul, and by implication, Timothy ( vs :9, 11 or D1-2). Paul was appointed to preach and teach as an apostle (D2)

Therefore the gift was made available as a result of and for the purpose of the gospel (vs: 10 see main point of Chiasm- E),  Our Christian faith holds together because of the Work of Christ on the Cross and the power of the gospel that secures our salvation: “our Savior Christ Jesus… abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,”

Take away: verse :11-12-  Points to the purpose of our calling; to take the gospel to the nations (apostle is the Greek word for missionary). As a servant of the gospel, it is our abiding in Christ that enables us to bear the suffering and shed the shame!

...for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able…