Paul opens as he always does with an identification of who he is, who he is writing to, and the offering of some combination of grace, peace and mercy. His inclusion of “…the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus…” is interesting given his current situation of imprisonment and anticipation of execution (which will indeed soon happen). Also note his description of Timothy as his “beloved child”. This has to be a difficult letter for Paul to write. Yes, he has been in tough spots before, but seems to recognize through this letter that this particular situation will end in his death. His role now is to lead Timothy to continue the work he can no longer do.
And Timothy is not just a dude he met along the journey. Paul prays all the time for him, remembering his mother and grandmother by name and the faith that they had. In light of this lineage, Paul reminds Timothy to “…fan into flame the gift of God…”. There is no restraint here. Timothy comes from a faithful family and has been taught by a faithful man who encountered the risen Jesus himself. God has given Timothy the skills and means to change the world with Good News, Paul says pour gas on that beast, carry the light boldly, with love and no fear. (Don’t miss the personal application here both as a child of God and, if it is your situation, as a parent yourself. Whatever way God has gifted you to change the world with His Good News, live it out and pass it on.)
Paul continues, ever willing to have people imitate him as he imitates Christ. He tells Timothy to not only not be ashamed of Paul’s situation, but share in it (not for the sake of being in the straights, it’s gospel work.) Keep this paragraph in context, “…his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus…”. The focus of this isn’t Paul and Timothy, it’s Jesus. Jesus was the purpose and grace that was planned since the beginning that ultimately manifested itself through his life, death, resurrection and ascension. Paul and Timothy’s work, as ours is, is to proclaim this reality. Jesus abolished death (we need say cool things like this more often); he brought life and immortality to light (something Paul might have had on his mind given his situation.)
But as can be expected, Paul is resolute. He is not ashamed of his position, he has been faithful in the means and trusts that God will appropriately handle the ends, guarding the reward that is due those who serve righteously in the Kingdom. And, he encourages Timothy to do the same. Again, the legacy Paul leaves is one we are called to as well. Who are you taking with you as you follow Jesus? Who can you encourage and say, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”? Gotta do it, fellas. Paul isn’t in prison for loving Jesus, he’s in prison for trying to make disciples.
And the consequences of doing so are sometimes too much for others to take. Sounds like the folk in Asia abandoned Paul in his needs upon his imprisonment, especially a couple cats with long names. Hermogenes sounds like doofus anyway. But not everyone cut him loose, Onesiphorus seems like a good dude, not only unashamed of Paul but seeking him out to visit. Man, visiting folks in prison has been on my mind quite a bit lately, gotta figure that out.