which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
Paul asserts his apostolic authority not for Timothy's sake alone; Timothy already believed. He writes with these grand titles because he stands at death's door and means to seal his whole ministry with his blood, that the Church may know his doctrine comes from God Himself, not from a mortal man's opinion.
AI summary
Commenting on 2 Timothy 1:1-18
Timothy must stir up his gifts like fire under embers, exercising them constantly; gifts unused decay like muscles in idleness. The great poison to usefulness is slavish fear, which buried the wicked servant's talent and will bury yours if you let it.
AI summary
Commenting on 2 Timothy 1:6-14
For the which cause I also suffer these things,.... The present imprisonment and bonds in which he now was; these, with all the indignities, reproaches, distresses, and persecutions, came upon him, for the sake of his being a preacher of the Gospel; and particularly for his being a teacher of the Gentiles: the Jews hated him, and persecuted him, because he preached the Gospel, and...