Structure in 2 Timothy 1 – Part 9

Continuing looking at 2 Timothy 1:8 – 11, focus on the last half of verse 9, God’s purpose and grace have been granted to us from all eternity.  Coupled with other of Paul’s thoughts, Ephesians 2:10, for instance, seems to suggest that suffering for the sake of the gospel was part of God’s plan for us all along.

One wonders why.  But the next verse sheds even more light on this.  In 10 Paul starts with contrast, “but”, and temporal, “now”, what was designed from eternity has now been revealed.  How?  “By,” instrumentation, means, the appearing of His Son, who did three things:

• Abolished death
• Brought life
• Brought immortality

How?  “Through,” again instrumentation, means, the gospel.

Putting all of that together, we are called to suffer for the gospel by one who has abolished death, brought life, and immortality.

We are not called to suffer needlessly.  The reality is that our suffering is temporary the reality is that the command is reasonable based on what Christ has done.

Which sets up verse 12 beautifully, but that is tomorrow.

Posts in this series:
The Influence of Structure
Structure in 2 Timothy 1
Structure in 2 Timothy 1 – Part 2
Structure in 2 Timothy 1 – Part 3
Structure in 2 Timothy 1 – Part 4
Structure in 2 Timothy 1 – Part 5
Structure in 2 Timothy 1 – Part 6
Structure in 2 Timothy 1 – Part 7
Structure in 2 Timothy 1 – Part 8