2 Timothy Chapter 1 - Do You Know Whom You Have Believed?

Paul was willing to suffer much for the gospel because he knew whom he believed. How about us?

In 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul writes to Timothy, being unashamed of suffering “for [he] knows whom [he] has believed”.

What does it mean to proclaim “I have known whom I have believed”?

If I know whom I have believed… I will “not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord”.

Are we ashamed of bearing testimony for our Lord? When we preach to our family, friends, colleagues, do we go in boldness, knowing that we proclaim the promise of life which is only found in Christ Jesus? Do we go in confidence, trusting that He is able to keep until that Day what we have committed to Him?

When bearing testimony for Christ, just like the workers that went before us, the Bible tells us that we will face persecution and suffering for the sake of the gospel. Amidst such suffering, Paul set a good example for us to imitate, giving thanks to God even while suffering in chains for the sake of the gospel (2 Tim 1:3).

If I know whom I have believed… I will have a spirit of power, love and a sound mind, not of fear.

When we know Jesus Christ personally - not just in theory, we come to appreciate the fullness of His might. We understand that only through His power, we are able to carry out His will, doing what seems impossible (1 Cor 12:9-10, Eph 3:20).

Because we have experienced His love, we yearn to share His love, through bringing the gospel of salvation to others (2 Cor 5:14, 2 Tim 1:9). Without this spirit of love, we are self-seeking, which might present itself as fearing the suffering we have to endure for the sake of the gospel.

With this spirit of power, love and a sound mind, Paul instructs Timothy to “stir up the gift of God”/”fan the flame” (ESV). Similar to how a dying fire needs to be actively fanned to revive and burn bright, we also ought to actively uphold our zeal and heart for the Lord, striving daily to serve and love Him more and more each day. This might look like - praying to ask God to revive us when we feel “burnt out”, or meditating on God’s word to remember His love and power when we feel fearful.

If I know whom I have believed… I will “hold fast the pattern of sound words”.

Do we know what we believe in? Do we defend the truth, and “guard the good deposit entrusted to [us]”?

In addition to defending the truth solely verbally, perhaps one way to “hold fast” would be to act on our beliefs. Paul raises the example of Onesiphorus, a man of faith who diligently assisted the workers of God. In contrast, we read of believers who turned away. Onesiphorus was one who knew who he believed, what he believed, and hence bore fruit which was very helpful to Paul’s ministry.

May we be believers who know whom we have believed.