Tara-Leigh Cobble

This is also our last of Paul's letters, or our final Pauline epistle, if you're feeling fancy.

But you can only say it like that if you're wearing a monocle.

I have to make some jokes because this day in the reading plan always makes me sad.

It's where our time with Paul comes to an end.

He's in prison in Rome, probably for the second time, and he's awaiting his trial and expects to be executed.

And he's right.

He writes this letter to his mentee Timothy to give a few final instructions, but it also seems just out of loneliness.

He's been abandoned by lots of people because he keeps landing in prison, which not only means it's easy for people to forget him because out of sight, out of mind, but also because his frequent imprisonments have added up to a less than stellar reputation.

When bad things keep happening to a person, it's easy to assume they're doing something wrong.

But as we know, Paul is in prison for doing something right, the very best thing.

In verses 6-7, he reminds Timothy, and probably himself, that if we don't actively engage in the gift of our faith, we'll default to fear.

But because God has granted us faith, we have access to power, love, and self-control through his Spirit.

Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.

Because of what's happened to Paul as a result of preaching the gospel, Paul probably worries that Timothy will shrink back from speaking the truth.

So Paul challenges him.

Don't let this deter you.

Don't be ashamed of the gospel.

And don't be ashamed of me here in prison.

There is nothing to be ashamed of.