{"id":54510,"date":"2023-11-24T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/?p=54510"},"modified":"2023-11-08T16:22:20","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T00:22:20","slug":"courage-to-follow-the-call","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/courage-to-follow-the-call\/","title":{"rendered":"Courage to Follow the Call"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>How would you feel about following in the footsteps of one who was imprisoned for what he believed? A little intimidated, perhaps? Maybe a little hesitant, especially when the one in prison says, \u201cJoin me\u201d? Let\u2019s see how Paul encourages Timothy to have courage to follow the call of God upon his life. We\u2019ll be using some notes from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=16869\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bible Knowledge Commentary<\/a> to help us in this pursuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-call-to-courage-not-ashamed-of-paul-or-testifying-of-jesus\"><strong>Call to Courage: Not Ashamed of Paul or Testifying of Jesus<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. <\/p><cite>2 Timothy 1:8<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>If Timothy\u2019s ministry were marked by power, love, and self-discipline, he would be able to stand tall against his opponents, and would <strong>not be ashamed to testify about our Lord<\/strong> (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Cor+1%3A6&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Cor. 1:6<\/a>), <strong>or ashamed of<\/strong> Paul <strong>His prisoner.<\/strong> Though Paul was held in a Roman prison (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Tim+1%3A16&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2 Tim. 1:16<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Tim+2%3A9&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:9<\/a>), yet he called himself Christ\u2019s prisoner \u2014 that is, a prisoner for Christ\u2019s sake and purpose (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Eph+3%3A1&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eph. 3:1<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Phil+1%3A12-14&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Phil. 1:12-14<\/a>; Phile. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Phile+1%3A1&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Phile+1%3A9&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">9<\/a>). With this reminder of his own condition, which was far graver than Timothy\u2019s, Paul exhorted Timothy to <strong>join <\/strong>courageously <strong>with<\/strong> him <strong>in suffering for the gospel<\/strong> (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Tim+2%3A3&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2 Tim. 2:3<\/a>), for it is just such circumstances that  manifest <strong>the power of God<\/strong> (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Cor+12%3A9-10&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2 Cor. 12:9-10<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Courage Derived from the Power of the Gospel<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>He has saved us and called us to a holy life\u2014not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. <\/p><cite>2 Timothy 1:9-10<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Having mentioned the gospel, Paul spelled out some of its most important details. <strong>God saved us and called us to a holy life.<\/strong> This is an accomplished fact, not something yet to come. Timothy could therefore count on God\u2019s power in his daily ministry. Moreover, this salvation had nothing to do with a believer\u2019s merits <strong>but<\/strong> was purely <strong>because of His own purpose<\/strong> (<em>prothesin;<\/em> cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Rom+8%3A28&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rom. 8:28<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Rom+9%3A11&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">9:11<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Eph+1%3A11&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eph. 1:11<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Eph+3%3A11&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3:11<\/a>) <strong>and grace<\/strong> (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+1%3A14&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Tim. 1:14<\/a>). This is the very core of the gospel (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Eph+2%3A8-10&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eph. 2:8-10<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Before the beginning of time<\/strong> Christians were granted this unmerited favor, but were only made aware of it <strong>through the appearing<\/strong> (<em>epiphaneias;<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Thess+2%3A8&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2 Thes. 2:8<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+6%3A14&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Tim. 6:14<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Tim+4%3A1&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2 Tim. 4:1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Tim+4%3A8&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">8<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Tit+2%3A13&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Titus 2:13<\/a>) <strong>of our Savior, Christ Jesus.<\/strong> Here and in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Tit+1%3A4&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Titus 1:4<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Tit+2%3A13&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:13<\/a>; and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Tit+3%3A6&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3:6<\/a> <em>Christ<\/em> is called Savior; in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+1%3A1&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Timothy 1:1<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+2%3A3&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:3<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+4%3A10&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4:10<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Tit+2%3A10&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Titus 2:10<\/a>; and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Tit+3%3A4&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3:4<\/a> <em>God<\/em> is titled Savior (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Pet+1%3A1&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2 Peter 1:1<\/a> with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Pet+3%3A18&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3:18<\/a>). Clearly both are in different senses true. Christ the Son embodied God the Father\u2019s saving purpose and plan, by which <strong>death,<\/strong> the product of sin (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Gen+2%3A17&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gen. 2:17<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Rom+5%3A12&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rom. 5:12<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Rom+6%3A23&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">6:23<\/a>), would be <strong>destroyed<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Cor+15%3A26&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Cor. 15:26<\/a>), and <strong>life and immortality<\/strong> (lit., \u201cincorruptibility\u201d; cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Pet+1%3A4&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Peter 1:4<\/a>) would be brought into view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Suffering but Not Ashamed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, 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.<\/p><cite>2 Timothy 1:11-12<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Little wonder that Paul called this <strong>gospel<\/strong> \u201cglorious\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+1%3A11&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Tim. 1:11<\/a>). It is the most important message ever. Jesus <strong>appointed<\/strong> Paul to serve as <strong>a herald and an apostle and a teacher<\/strong> of this message (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+2%3A7&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Tim. 2:7<\/a>), three roles which merely reflect different facets of the stewardship entrusted to him (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+1%3A11&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Tim. 1:11<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carrying out his stewardship had brought Paul much <strong>suffering,<\/strong> including his present imprisonment. In the eyes of the world he was a common criminal (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Tim+2%3A9&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2 Tim. 2:9<\/a>). Yet he was able to say, <strong>I am not ashamed.<\/strong> He was trusting his own destiny to the same One who had <strong>entrusted <\/strong>him with the stewardship of the gospel. Thus, even though he was suffering abuse and humiliation, he was confident of God\u2019s complete vindication in the end (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Tim+1%3A18&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:18<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Tim+4%3A8&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4:8<\/a>). Throughout, of course, Paul was using his own example to bolster Timothy\u2019s perhaps flagging courage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Call to Guard the Truth: Following and Protecting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. <\/p><cite>2 Timothy 1:13<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>From the example of his life, Paul turned to the example or <strong>pattern<\/strong> (<em>hypotyp\u014dsin;<\/em> cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+1%3A16&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Tim. 1:16<\/a>) of his teaching. Timothy was to view what he had <strong>heard from<\/strong> Paul as the essential outline or sketch of <em>sound teaching<\/em> (lit., \u201chealthy doctrine\u201d; cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+1%3A10&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Tim. 1:10<\/a>) and was to <strong>keep<\/strong> or maintain it. Timothy was to have courage to hold the truth <strong>with faith and love in Christ Jesus.<\/strong> A commitment to the truth always requires faith and love, virtues which ultimately come only from being \u201cin Christ\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+1%3A14&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Tim. 1:14<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Protecting what God Has Entrusted<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you\u2014guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. <\/p><cite>2 Timothy 1:14<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Paul used the notion of a \u201ctrust\u201d (<em>parath\u0113k\u0113n;<\/em> cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+5%3A21&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Tim. 5:21<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+6%3A20&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">6:20<\/a>) in two ways in the Pastorals. First, he had been given a trust or stewardship from God (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+1%3A11&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Tim. 1:11<\/a>); second, he had in turn <strong>entrusted <\/strong>himself and his destiny to God (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Tim+1%3A12&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2 Tim. 1:12<\/a>). Here Paul spoke of the first of these two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The stewardship of the truth he had received had now been passed along into the hands of Timothy, who was to pass it on yet again to other faithful Christians, who were to pass it on to still others (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=2+Tim+2%3A2&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:2<\/a>). While it was in Timothy\u2019s possession, however, he was to <strong>guard<\/strong> (<em>phylaxon;<\/em> cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+5%3A21&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 Tim. 5:21<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Tim+6%3A20&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">6:20<\/a>) <strong>it with the help of the Holy Spirit<\/strong> <strong>who lives in us.<\/strong> It was Timothy\u2019s responsibility to preserve sound teaching from becoming corrupted through distortion, dilution, deletion, and addition. Heretical teaching was not only a possibility to Paul; it was a constant threat to be guarded against. Moreover, Timothy could count on the courage of the indwelling Spirit of God (cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+John+3%3A24&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 John 3:24<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+John+4%3A13&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4:13<\/a>) who desires to promote the truth about Christ (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=John+16%3A13&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John 16:13<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Keep Reading the Bible Knowledge Commentary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.olivetree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/BibleKnowledgeCommentarySocial-1024x580.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-51493\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/BibleKnowledgeCommentarySocial-1024x580.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/BibleKnowledgeCommentarySocial-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/BibleKnowledgeCommentarySocial-768x435.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/BibleKnowledgeCommentarySocial-1536x870.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With clear explanatory notes and extensive cross-references, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=16869\">Bible Knowledge Commentary<\/a> stays true to its name. Pick up your copy today from our store and keep reading the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=16869\">Bible Knowledge Commentary<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=16869\" style=\"background-color:#77aa3c\">BIBLE KNOWLEDGE COMMENTARY<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How would you feel about following in the footsteps of one who was imprisoned for what he believed? A little intimidated, perhaps? Maybe a little hesitant, especially when the one in prison says, \u201cJoin me\u201d? Let\u2019s see how Paul encourages Timothy to have courage to follow the call of God upon his life. We\u2019ll be<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":54514,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7849],"tags":[6018],"class_list":{"0":"post-54510","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-commentaries","8":"tag-bible-knowledge-commentary"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Courage to Follow the Call - Olive Tree Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/staging-blog.olivetree.com\/courage-to-follow-the-call\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Courage to Follow the Call\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"How would you feel about following in the footsteps of one who was imprisoned for what he believed? 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