Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Evangelical
2 (or 3) More Ways Paul helps Timothy Guard Against Shame

2 (or 3) More Ways Paul helps Timothy Guard Against Shame

Last updated on: October 24, 2018 at 12:40 am by Brad Vaughn

2 (or 3) More Ways Paul helps Timothy Guard Against Shame 2018-10-10T08:34:19-07:00 Brad Vaughn

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A previous post noted four ways that Paul challenges the fear and shame that potentially grew in Timothy’s heart. In 2 Timothy 1, he appeals to Timothy’s identity, the gospel, his hope, and others’ positive and negative examples. This post highlights two more strategies in 2 Timothy 2 for combatting shame.

CC0 Creative Commons

Reinforce and Reframe

Paul begins chapter 2 by reinforcing his prior comments. For example, he makes a series of identity statements in vv. 1–6, linking identities with their practical implications.

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

Paul then reminds Timothy of the gospel yet uses rhetorical creativity to reframe his perspective on the situation.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!

Paul’s word-play in 2:9 (“bound”) is potent.

Finally, Paul fortifies Timothy’s hope in 2:11–13,

The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.

One will not be ashamed when trusting in a sovereign Lord who cannot deny himself.

Redefining Shame and Reorienting Honor

In 2:15–21, we find Paul’s fifth and sixth strategies for undermining the roots of shame in Timothy’s heart.

Redefines “Shame”

Observe the shrewdness in Paul’s charge:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2:15)

He subtly redefines “shame.” Rather than epitomized in public suffering, shame now is reoriented around how a person handles God’s word!

In short, Paul does not passively accept the world’s standard of shame; it rightly demonstrates what constitutes genuine shame before God and His people.

Reorients Honor

Paul’s redefinition of shame makes sense when the gospel reorients one’s perspective of honor. Verses 19–21 stand in sharp contrast to typical social standards.

But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

After a subtle appeal to God’s faithfulness, Paul gives an analogy to explain what it truly means to be worthy of honor. Such a person “cleanses himself from what is dishonorable,” being a vessel for honor, set apart as holy, ready for every good work.

Honor is now understood in light of “the master of the house,” namely, God. The practical implications that follow shed light on what is dishonorable and holy (i.e. honorable):

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

The Promise and Hope of Honor

Each of Paul’s admonitions undercut lingering fear that breads a sense of shame. Taken together, he effectively provides the seventh approach.

Promised Honor

The gospel produces a sure hope, one that does not put God’s people to shame. Moreover, God’s faithfulness confirms our faith. Embracing such truth ensures that we will be reckoned worthy of honor in the eyes of God and His people.

Our honor derives from God’s own glory. No wonder Paul is able to conclude his letter with these words:

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (4:18).

Thinking back on all seven ways Paul uses to challenge the potential shame in Timothy, which do you think are most helpful for you personally? Which approaches have you neglected to use in your own life and ministry?

Previous Post

October 17, 2018

6 Ways Paul Undermines Timothy’s Sense of Shame

Next Post

October 31, 2018 Why has America grown more individualistic?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Atonement Biblical Theology Book Reviews China Chinese Church Chinese Culture Chinese Language Collectivism Contextualization Culture (General) Ecclesiology Evangelism Gospel Honor & Shame (Face) Interpretation/Exegesis Justification/Righteousness Missiology Mission Methods One Gospel for All Nations Other Practical Contextualization Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes Resources Romans Salvation (General) Saving God's Face Seeking God's Face The Cross in Context Theological Contextualization Theological Education Theology Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

David Hezekiah Joshua Jehoshaphat

Books by This Author Books by Brad Vaughn

See All Titles »

2 (or 3) More Ways Paul helps Timothy Guard Against Shame

Reinforce and Reframe

Redefining Shame and Reorienting Honor

Redefines “Shame”

Reorients Honor

The Promise and Hope of Honor

Promised Honor

Who said, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you"?