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2 Timothy 1:8,12,16
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; …

Acts 9:16
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

as.

Ephesians 6:20
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

1 Peter 2:12,14
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may byyour good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation…

1 Peter 3:16
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

even.

Acts 28:31
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Ephesians 6:19,20
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, …

Philippians 1:12-14
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the thingswhich happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; …

but.

Ephesians 3:1
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

Philippians 1:7
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

Colossians 4:3,18
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: …

to the extent of being chained
Paul's imprisonment is literal, as he writes this letter from a Roman prison. The chains symbolize the physical constraints placed upon him, yet they also highlight the spiritual freedom he experiences in Christ. This imagery of chains is consistent with other New Testament writings where Paul describes himself as a "prisoner for the Lord" (Ephesians 4:1).

like a criminal
In the Roman context, being treated as a criminal was a severe punishment, often reserved for those who posed a threat to the state. Paul, however, was not a criminal by any moral or ethical standard; his "crime" was preaching the Gospel. This reflects the early church's experience of being misunderstood and maligned by society, similar to how Jesus was treated as a criminal (Luke 23:32-33).

But the word of God cannot be chained!
Despite Paul's physical imprisonment, the Gospel remains unbound and continues to spread. This statement underscores the power and sovereignty of God's word, which transcends human limitations. It echoesIsaiah 55:11, where God's word is described as accomplishing its purpose. The unstoppable nature of the Gospel is a recurring theme in Acts, where despite persecution, the word of God continues to grow and multiply (Acts 12:24).

Paul writes, “for which I suffer,” tying his hardship directly to “the gospel” he has just mentioned (2 Timothy 2:8).

• Scripture never hides the cost of following Christ—Jesus promised, “You will be hated by everyone because of My name” (Matthew 10:22).

• Paul embraces that cost without self-pity; earlier he urged Timothy, “Join me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8).

• His suffering authenticates the message he preaches—just asActs 9:16 foretold, the apostle would “suffer much” for Jesus’ sake.

The suffering is not abstract. Paul is literally “in chains” (Philippians 1:13), treated no differently than violent offenders.

• The injustice echoesActs 16:23-24, where Paul and Silas were thrown into the inner prison.

• Yet he refuses shame: “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed” (1 Peter 4:16).

• The physical restraint underscores the world’s hostility toward the gospel but also underscores Paul’s unwavering allegiance to Christ (2 Timothy 1:12).

What a turn: iron shackles may hold the messenger, but nothing can bind the message.

•Isaiah 55:11 promises God’s word will “not return to Me void.”

• Throughout Acts the pattern repeats: the apostles are jailed, yet “the word of God continued to spread and multiply” (Acts 12:24).

•Hebrews 4:12 reminds us the word is “living and active,” not subject to human restraints.

• Even from prison Paul’s letters reach churches, provingColossians 1:6—“the gospel is bearing fruit and growing.”

• Our task mirrors Paul’s request in2 Thessalonians 3:1: “Pray that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored.”

2 Timothy 2:9 shows the stark contrast between the frailty of God’s servant and the unstoppable power of God’s word. Paul’s chains highlight the cost of gospel faithfulness; yet those same chains spotlight the gospel’s freedom, effectiveness, and ultimate victory. No wall, law, or shackle can restrain Scripture’s living voice or thwart its mission.

As an evil doer.--Better rendered,as a malefactor: the same word used in St. Luke's Gospel for the two thieves crucified with Jesus Christ (Luke 23:32-33;Luke 23:39).

Even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.--A prisoner in chains and, as he tells us further on in the Epistle, expecting death, and yet he still could write and pray and speak from his narrow prison. Surely his disciple, still free, ought to work on with undiminished spirit and zeal. Though St. Paul was in bonds, his sufferings and imprisonment had in no way weakened the power of the gospel.