Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, (9) for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. (10)Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
(11) This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him,
(12) If we endure, We shall also reign with Him,
If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
(13) If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
The Apostle Paul wrote the 2nd letter to Timothy while a prisoner in Rome. Paul was treated as a criminal for “my gospel” and was chained to a guard day and night: he had been condemned to death. This was probably Paul’s final letter before his death and includes his final instructions – and encouragement – for Timothy. In chapter 4, verses 6 and 7 of this letter Paul writes: ” For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ” Paul has finished the marathon, steadfast in his faith in Christ Jesus as the ultimate example.
Paul is commanding that Timothy remember the gospel – that Jesus could not be overcome by death and rose in triumph from the grave. His promises never fail of fulfillment – Jesus is not a dead Messiah but a resurrected, living Messiah; raised and living eternal. Paul leaves for Timothy not the vision of a crucified Jesus but that of a risen Lord.
Paul suffered much but had learned to be content in whatever circumstances for Christ’s sake – the transforming work of the gospel of Jesus Christ made it possible for him to endure all afflictions. The Apostle was in prison but tells Timothy (and us) that the Word of God has never and can never be suppressed. The power of God’s word has never been dependent on man and protections or subject to man’s restriction. It cannot be imprisoned.