SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION!

Matthew 10:33 KJV
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Luke 9:26
[26]For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

COMMENTARY OFFERED BY MATTHEWHENRY (1662-1714)!

2 Timothy 2:15
[15]Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Another thing to encourage Timothy in suffering was that he had Paul for an example.

Observe, 1. How the apostle suffered (2 Timothy 2:9): Wherein I suffer as an evil-doer; and let not Timothy the son expect any better treatment than Paul the father.

Paul was a man who did good, and yet suffered as an evil-doer: we must not think it strange if those who do well fare ill in this world, and if the best of men meet with the worst of treatment; but this was his comfort that the word of God was not bound.

Persecuting powers may silence ministers and restrain them, but they cannot hinder the operation of the word of God upon men’s hearts and consciences; that cannot be bound by any human force.

This might encourage Timothy not to be afraid of bonds for the testimony of Jesus; for the word of Christ, which ought to be dearer to him than liberty, or life itself, should in the issue suffer nothing by those bonds.

Here we see, (1) The good apostle’s treatment in the world: I suffer trouble; to this he was called and appointed

(2) The pretence and colour under which he suffered: I suffer as an evil-doer; so the Jews said to Pilate concerning Christ, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee, John 18:30

(3) The real and true cause of his suffering trouble as an evil-doer: Wherein; that is, in or for the sake of the gospel.

The apostle suffered trouble unto bonds, and afterwards he resisted unto blood, striving against sin, Hebrews 12:4. Though the preachers of the word are often bound, yet the word is never bound

OBSERVATION !

You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin, Hebrews 12:4.

Observe, 1. Paul owned that they had suffered much, they had been striving in agony against sin.

Here, (1) The cause of the conflict was sin, and to be engaged against sin is to fight in a good cause, for sin is the worst enemy both to God and man.

Our spiritual warfare is both honourable and necessary for we are only defending ourselves against that which would destroy us, if it should get the victory over us we fight for ourselves, for our lives, and therefore ought to be patient and resolute!

(2) Every Christian is enlisted under Christ’s banner, to strive against sin, against sinful doctrines, sinful practices, and sinful habits and customs, both in himself and in others.

COMMENTARY OFFERED BY MATTHEW HENRY (1662-1714)

Though their enemies and persecutors may be the instruments of inflicting such sufferings on them, yet they are divine chastisements their heavenly Father has his hand in all, and his wise end to serve by all of this he has given them due notice, and they should not forget it, Hebrews 12:5.

Observe, 1. Those afflictions which may be truly persecution as far as men are concerned in them are fatherly rebukes and chastisements as far as God is concerned in them.

Persecution for religion is sometimes a correction and rebuke for the sins of professors of religion. Men persecute them because they are religious, God chastises them because they are not more so: men persecute them because they will not give up their profession, God chastises them because they have not lived up to their profession.

2. God has directed his people how they ought to behave themselves under all their afflictions they must avoid the extremes that many run into.

(1) They must not despise the chastening of the Lord they must not make light of afflictions, and be stupid and insensible under them, for they are the hand and rod of God, and his rebukes for sin.

Those who make light of affliction make light of God and make light of sin.

(2) They must not faint when they are rebuked they must not despond and sink under their trial, nor fret and repine, but bear up with faith and patience

(3) If they run into either of these extremes, it is a sign they have forgotten their heavenly Father’s advice and exhortation, which he has given them in true and tender affection

3. Afflictions, rightly endured, though they may be the fruits of God’s displeasure, are yet proofs of his paternal love to his people and care for them (Hebrews 12:6,7): Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Robert a humble obedient servant to Yeshua and his Father in heaven Yahewa. And all of God’s children say Amen and Amen in the name of Jehovah Jireh our provider of all things righteous and Holy!