Even when weakness was everywhere, there need not be weakness in grace, and Paul exhorted Timothy to be strong in it. Nothing else would do for such a rigorous path. The soldier must be free, unencumbered, striving lawfully. The husbandman after planting must wait for the harvest.
Paul showed two parts to his gospel-Jesus, the seed of David according to God's promise, and the power of God which raises from the dead.
Paul was bound, but God's Word was not.
If we suffer, we should also reign with Christ. If we deny Him (an unbeliever), He also will deny us.
Strive, Paul exhorted Timothy, to do your work to be approved of God, keeping the meaning of Scripture in its proper order. When all is crumbling, rely upon the foundation of God, for the Lord knows His own.
Why is it so hard to trust the Lord in the midst of strenuous opposition? To trust even for our bread? Are we not in the hollow of His hand?
To Timothy, he said, not only hold fast the sound words of the apostle yourself, but commit them to faithful men who will be able to teach others.
Timothy had heard from the apostle's lips the teachings of the deep things of God-the mystery, the body of Christ, eternal things in the presence of many witnesses. This was his guard.