At times we can face difficult times in our service for Christ. Opposition can mount. Our efforts can sometimes end in disappointment and failure. Our enemies can wound us grievously. Such might Paul have thought when he surveyed his circumstances. He was writing his friend from a Roman prison. The carnal, secular powers of Nero’s Rome had seemingly put an end to Paul’s public ministry. His enemies among the Jewish religious leaders appeared to have triumphed in their hatred of Paul. Friends who had abandoned Paul seemed to have harmed the apostle with impunity. Writing to Timothy while in chains in a Roman prison, might have demoralized a lesser man.
However, Paul knew that though people might imprison him, they could not subdue the Gospel. Though the Roman authorities might execute the apostles and throw Christians to the lions, they could not prevent God’s work from advancing.
You may be facing painful opposition. Perhaps you have experienced setbacks and failures. Don’t allow the actions of others to color your view of God. People might hinder your efforts, but they cannot stop God’s purposes from being accomplished. Paul was willing to endure imprisonment and ridicule as long as God’s cause was advanced. Do you see God’s purposes advancing around you, even as people oppose you? The word of God is not in chains. It is unquenchable and unstoppable.