2 Timothy 1:12 says, “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 had believed in Jesus Christ. His conversion from Judaism to Christianity was extreme; read about it in Acts 9. When he said, “I know whom I have believed,” he meant in a way we cannot understand.
He said, “I am not ashamed.” If you read earlier in 2 Timothy 1, Paul mentioned being the Lord’s “prisoner” and the first part of verse 11 and 12 he mentioned suffering for preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
At this point in his life, Paul was literally a prisoner of Rome. In fact, it is highly agreed upon that 2 Timothy was the last letter that Paul wrote; that he died not long after writing it. In 2 Timothy 4:6 he said “the time of [his] departure [had] come.” But he managed to get this letter off before that time actually came
So when he says he is not ashamed he is saying two things at once: he is not ashamed that he is a prisoner for the gospel because he knows Jesus Christ and he is safe, secure for ever. And look how he goes on in this verse, “and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”
Until what day? Until the return of the Lord! Until the glorious day of the Lord’s appearing. The resurrection and the return of Jesus Christ comes out in everything that Paul writes.
What had been entrusted to Paul? The gospel. And not just the preaching of it, but the actual working of the gospel in him. Paul knew that Christ was able to guard, or protect, the truth of the gospel within him against all of Paul’s failings, against all opposition, from calamity and persecution, even from death. No one could take what Christ provided.
From 2 Timothy 1:12 through 2:2, the word entrust is use three times in two forms: entrusted, i.e. having been given, vs. 1:12, & 13; and entrust, i.e. to give to others, 2:2. Paul’s use of the word relates specifically to the gospel. He says the gospel had been entrusted to him (1:12), to Timothy (1:13), and that Timothy was to entrust the preaching and teaching of the gospel to others, to whom it has also been entrusted (2:2)!
Christ guards the gospel as it works within us, and as it goes out from us to work in others.
But then, in 1:13, Paul tells Timothy “to guard the good deposit” (that is the gospel within him) entrusted to him. So not only is Christ guarding the gospel’s work within him, Timothy himself is also supposed guard it! That is, he is to pursue sanctification (cleansing from sin by God’s Word) and holiness (separation from the world and devotion unto God).
There is, simply, both incredible news and great instruction for those with faith in Jesus Christ! Christ is guarding the gospel that God has deposited in, us through faith in Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, until the day of redemption (see Ephesians 1:13-14). That’s irrevocable and will not be withdrawn (John 10:28-29). Yet, we are also to guard the gospel within us: make your calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10), work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12) do not be taken captive by the emptiness of the world (Colossians 2:8), make no provision for he flesh (Romans 13:14), bring holiness to complete in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1).
May we ever trust the One standing guard over the gospel in us, who will never fail, and let us be diligently standing guard over the gospel in ourselves.
Grace & Peace,
John White
You can reach the elders anytime by email, call, or text at:
Jon Collins, jcollins@thevillagemi.com, (810) 869-3949
John White, jwhite@thevillagemi.com, (810) 275-4267