Shame and Suffering

It must have been beyond difficult to be Paul's envoy! I can't help but wonder if posterity has been hard on Timothy, branding him as faint-hearted because of Paul's words to him. But Paul's standards were unimaginably high.

Notice the emphasis on shame in this section. There is something in play here that is foreign to today's Western culture. In ancient Rome, what others thought of you was all-important. There was an unwritten set of codes for things that would bring honour or shame, and everybody knew what they were. Often, they were connected to the power structures of the day. If you belonged to a group with values different from the wider society, you redefined your idea of what was shameful, but the idea of honour and shame was still there.

Now look at Timothy's position. He is acting on behalf of Paul, who was in prison, and in prison no less for preaching the good news of Jesus, who died on a cross. Shame, shame, shame.

And see what Paul does here? He redefines honour and shame. He appeals to a higher court than that of public opinion. Jesus, who died on a cross, "destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." What looked like the last word in shame, capital punishment, has resulted in the most glorious event in all of history. The one who was once crucified rose from the dead. He "alone is immortal and lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever!" (1 Timothy 6:16) Honour, honour, honour!

Paul even rejoices in his suffering because "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day" (v 12).

Can you say that?

Respond in Prayer

Life-giving God, walk beside me. Help me to know you are near, especially when I am weak and struggling. Take my burdens. Infuse me with your joy and a deep sense of your presence. You are my rock and my fortress, my deliverer and my strength. Thank you, Jesus, that you have promised to never leave me, even when life is at its darkest. Amen.

Meg Saunders

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).