2 Timothy 1:12-18

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.
13: Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
14: Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.

15: You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16: The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;
17: but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me—
18: the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.

*** 

For the purpose of God revealed in Christ Jesus, Paul was appointed to his calling, and for this reason he endured persecution for the sake of the gospel, and suffered as a prisoner. Yet none of that brought Paul to shame, for his faith in God held strong. He knew whom he believed in and was convinced that He would guard what Paul entrusted to Him until the day of the Lord’s return. Paul knew the Lord, and had entrusted himself and his cares to Him. When we know Him, we know we can trust Him.

Paul encouraged Timothy to hang on to the sound words he’d heard from Paul. They were a standard to live by and would keep him from being deceived by erroneous teachings. Paul said to keep these words in the faith and love in Christ, and to guard the treasure he’d been entrusted with through the Holy Spirit who dwelt within. The Holy Spirit helps us guard the treasure of the gospel—truths in Christ—because He is the Spirit of truth. God’s own Spirit was sent to help and empower us.

Paul mentioned that all in Asia had turned away from him. This may be referring to the time of his arrest most likely in Nicopolis. We read in 2 Timothy 4:16 that he prayed for the Lord not to hold it against them. He also prayed for mercy on the house of Onesiphorus who was not ashamed of him but “often refreshed” him and sought him out when he was in Rome. His prayer for him to find mercy “on that day” reminds us that we must all remain faithful until the end—whether that be the end of our life on earth or the Lord’s return.

Paul’s mention of Phygelus and Hermogenes deserting him may have been somewhat of a surprise. There were those who turned their back on Paul whom he would have thought he could count on. When one is faced with the possibility of severe consequences for their faith, or because of associations with others of faith, they may find it easier to compromise. May God help us all remain faithful and grant mercy to do so.



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