human
--and about Timothy himself. Dark days are coming. False doctrine will be openly preached and will not lack hearers; and utterly un-Christian conduct and conversation will become grievously prevalent. And, while the godly are persecuted, evil men will wax worse and worse. This sad state of things has already begun; and the Apostle seems to fear that his beloved disciple is not altogether unaffected by it. Separation from St. Paul and the difficulties of his position may have told on his over-sensitive temperament, and have caused him to be remiss in his work, through indulgence in futile despondency. The words of the text strike the dominant chord of the Epistle and reveal to us the motive that prompts it. The Apostle puts Timothy in remembrance
gpt
Again and again he insists on this and similar counsels.
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Be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner; but suffer hardships.
gpt
That good thing which was committed to thee guard through the Holy Ghost (vv. 8, 13).
human
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
gpt
Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed (ii. 3, 15).
human
But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them (iii. 14). And then, as the letter draws to a close, he speaks in still more solemn tones of warning:
gpt
I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, Who shall judge the quick and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
human
Be thou sober in all things, suffer hardships, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry