Today's Verses: 2 Timothy 2:8-9 (NIV)
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

Paul reminds Timothy that he must focus of Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the scriptures, even if, like Paul, it means suffering like a criminal.

Today's Comments: When Paul wrote his letter to Timothy, he knew that he would eventually suffer the punishment of death. Paul did not preach the prosperity gospel. He told his disciples that they would have to suffer. As the New Topical Textbook points out, our afflictions are made beneficial through various means, which include:

• 1. In promoting the glory of God. Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19.
• 2. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God. Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11.
• 3. In teaching us the will of God. Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9.
• 4. In turning us to God. De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7.
• 5. In keeping us from again departing from God. Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11.
• 6. In leading us to seek God in prayer. Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1.
• 7. In convincing us of sin. Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18.
• 8. In leading us to confession of sin. Nu 21:7; Ps 32:5; 51:3,5.
• 9. In testing and exhibiting our sincerity. Job 23:10; Ps 66:10; Pr 17:3.
• 10. In trying our faith and obedience. Ge 22:1,2; Heb 11:17; Ex 15:23-25; De 8:2,16; 1Pe 1:7; Re 2:10.
• 11. In humbling us. De 8:3,16; 2Ch 7:13,14; La 3:19,20; 2Co 12:7.
• 12. In purifying us. Ec 7:2,3; Isa 1:25,26; 48:10; Jer 9:6,7; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:2,3.
• 13. In exercising our patience. Ps 40:1; Ro 5:3; Jas 1:3; 1Pe 2:20.
• 14. In rendering us fruitful in good works. Joh 15:2; Heb 12:10,11.
• 15. In furthering the gospel. Ac 8:3,4; 11:19-21; Php 1:12; 2Ti 2:9,10; 4:16,17.

Such suffering is exemplified in the following:

• a. Joseph’s brethren. Ge 42:21.
• b. Joseph. Ge 45:5,7,8.
• c. Israel. De 8:3,5.
• d. Josiah. 2Ki 22:19.
• e. Hezekiah. 2Ch 32:25,26.
• f. Manasseh. 2Ch 33:12.
• g. Jonah. Jon 2:7.
• h. Prodigal’s son. Lu 15:21.

Torrey, R.A.: The New Topical Text Book : A Scriptural Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos research Systems, Inc., 1995, c1897

So, we may not have to suffer for the Gospel, but we must be prepared to do so, if we have to.