2 Timothy 1:12 12on account of which I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have believed and I have been persuaded that he is able to guard my deposit until that day.
Paul connects his calling as a preacher, apostle, and teacher from verse 11 with his strong conviction in the truth of the gospel. His calling held him strong through the many sufferings he experienced. Suffering provided opportunity for the grace of Christ to give Paul strength to endure (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Paul would not let the message of the cross bring him shame. From the world’s perspective, a crucified lord was an absurdity.
Paul’s response is one of confidence and strong conviction in the statement I know in whom I have believed and have been persuaded. The two verbs used here are in the perfect tense, which indicates that he came to this strong conviction in the past and has continued with it. He made a choice and has stayed with it. He did not waver and would never waver because of the one who made the promise. The identification of the whom is not indicated specifically but the closest reference is Christ Jesus in verse 10 who is the focus of the gospel of verse 11. Paul came to faith in Christ on the road to Damascus and never wavered from it.
The specific conviction Paul had is given in the last phrase. The word guard (phylaxai) means to keep something safe and protected. The deposit Paul entrusted to Jesus was his eternal destiny and his journey to it. The time indicator is that day, referring to Jesus’ second coming. Paul was passing on this message to Timothy. This verse should have given Timothy assurance for the obstacles he faced in his ministry in Ephesus or wherever God led him.
The power of shame may be difficult for some people to understand because of the strong individualism in some cultures. The gospel calls for exclusive and complete devotion to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Do we have the same confidence of Paul that can hold us strong through suffering?
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