2 Timothy 2:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

“For which,” he says, “I suffer even to chains, as a criminal.” Again he offers consolation by his own example, and again an exhortation, encouraging the hearer in two ways.

He points both to his own sufferings and to the fact that he suffers them not without benefit. Thus this will be beneficial for the hearer. Otherwise it would even be harmful.

For what profit is there if you show that the teacher suffers, but without any benefit? It is worthy of wonder when he suffers with profit, for the good of those being instructed.

“But the word of God is not bound.” If, he says, we were worldly soldiers, or waged a material war, then these chains that bind the hands would have power.

“For which I suffer even to chains, as a criminal.” Again he consoles the disciple by his own example, speaking both of the fact that he suffers and of the fact that he bears an evil reputation.

“But the word of God is not bound.” Someone might say: what profit is there in that? And what is remarkable if you are bound? Show me the benefit. Show me something wonderful.

The Apostle says: the word is not bound. For it is not something material, so that it could be stopped when the body is bound.

The word is a divine work. The word is God’s. When we are bound, it is free and advances. And behold, we write and preach, although we are bound.

Do you see the wonder? Do you see the benefit also?

In this, that is, in the preaching of the Gospel, I endure afflictions and sufferings. I bear not only insults or dishonor, but, like some criminal, I was transported in bonds from city to city and sent in chains from country to country. Yet although they brought me to Rome with my hands bound, they could not bind my tongue, because the word of God cannot be bound.

Therefore it is said also to the soul: "Your youth shall be renewed like the eagle's" (Ps 102:5). And he addresses the soul when he says: "Bless the Lord, O my soul" (Ps 103:1). Therefore the soul also hastens toward the Word and asks to be united with Him, so that it may not be abandoned by Him. For the word of God moves swiftly, and there are no bonds for it.

At that time Simon began to sow heretical thorns. He and all his followers denied the assumption of the flesh and said that the Incarnation was only in appearance.

For this reason the divine Apostle, on this occasion passing over the divine nature, wrote to Timothy only concerning the divine economy. He commanded him always to remember the birth according to the flesh from the seed of David and the Resurrection from the dead.

He mentioned both, the birth and the Passion, and also added mention of the lineage, because the enemies of the truth openly denied all these things.

"In which I suffer hardship even to bonds, as an evildoer." For the sake of the Gospel I suffer even to imprisonment in chains. You too must imitate me and likewise bear sufferings with courage. "But the word of God is not bound." My hands and feet are bound, but my tongue is not bound. It does its work. And if I preach while bound, then you, as free men, ought to do this all the more.

Those sitting in prison. You, beloved sufferers of Christ, endure your sufferings. Your body is confined, but your spirit is free. Your hands and feet are bound, but your holy souls have been loosed by the grace of Christ.

You do not see the sunlight, but the divine light illumines you within. You are shut up in prison, but heaven is open to you. You have no consolation from this world, but the grace of God consoles you within.

Remember, fellow-sufferers and fellow-partakers with the martyrs and confessors of Christ, that Christ our Lord was bound because of our sins. After this prison you will reign with Christ, with Whom you suffer.

“We suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified with Him. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:17-18).

But the word of God is not bound. In these words both consolation and exhortation are hidden for Timothy, urging him to preach the word of God. Despite every obstacle, it can be spread even in bonds, because the word of God is not bound.

That is, remember that the Lord rose from the dead after a life spent in labors and sufferings. Remember also that, being true man and sprung from the root of David, He revealed in Himself an example for all people.

From this example everyone can see how the sufferings and labors of Christ necessarily preceded the glory of Christ’s Resurrection.

The holy Apostle Paul also passed through the same path. For he says that for Christ’s Gospel “I suffer even to chains, as a criminal; but the word of God is not bound,” and so on.

The same path inevitably lies before every good pastor: “This is a faithful saying: if we died with Him,” that is, with Christ, “we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us,” and so on.

That is, after labors, sorrows, and even persecutions endured in the field of pastorship, glory in Christ Jesus awaits pastors. By this they must inspire themselves.

The command to remember Christ’s Resurrection, like the example of the Apostle’s own glorious sufferings, is a new form of encouragement for Timothy and for all evangelists. Christ suffered for us sinners, but He rose and was glorified.

The holy Apostle Paul suffered greatly for his preaching, yet no boundary could be set to his word. He too entered the glory of God. So also in Christ all who suffer as preachers of His gospel will be glorified.

After commanding Timothy to enter more deeply into the meaning of these instructions, the Apostle requires the same attention to the exhortations that follow. In them he sets before Timothy the motives for faithful fulfillment of his duties.

First, Timothy should be moved by the Resurrection of Christ. Christ had the same flesh as Timothy, yet after suffering and death He rose to new life.

Second, he should be moved by the example of his teacher and fellow-worker. For the cause of the gospel he was cast into bonds. Yet the enemies could not bind the gospel itself, which was now spreading through others.

This consoles the Apostle in his sufferings for the sake of those chosen for salvation from among the Gentiles (cf. Col. 1:24).

“In which” means in the Gospel, in the work and labor of preaching the Gospel.

“I suffer hardship” means I endure all the unpleasantness and privations bound up with this. And not only this, which everyone who willingly undertakes some enterprise endures, but I have even been put in prison and fastened in chains like a criminal, for the saving Gospel.

In these words one hears: I am not ashamed, I am not afraid, and I do not lose heart. I am inspired by the same remembrance of the risen Lord which I command you also to have.

Imitate me. Inspired by such remembrance, labor tirelessly in the Gospel. Even if you encounter chains, as I have, this is no obstacle to the course of the Gospel.