Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10 are astounding. When we suffer for Jesus, we share in Jesus’ sufferings and then experience the power of the resurrection. Sharing in Jesus’ sufferings and resurrection? What a privilege!

Paul sits in prison. Prison was familiar to Paul, and conditions varied from the relative comfort of house arrest to much harsher conditions.

This time is not good. Paul sits in Rome surrounded by soldiers of the elite Praetorian Guard. He expects that he will soon be executed by the government. He has no freedom and no future.

In that context, Paul writes: “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!” (2 Timothy 2:8–9).

Remember Jesus

The sufferings of Jesus relativize our suffering. When you look at Jesus and what he did for us, you begin to realize that it’s an honor to share in his sufferings (Philippians 3:10).

Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10 are astounding. When we suffer for Jesus, we share in Jesus’ sufferings and then experience the power of the resurrection. Sharing in Jesus’ sufferings and resurrection? What a privilege!

I think that’s why Paul can write the words of 2 Timothy 2:8 from prison as he awaits his execution: “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead.” All they can do is help me enjoy deeper levels of fellowship with Jesus. Resurrection gets the final word. They can kill me, but not even my death is fatal because of the resurrection life that comes on the other side of martyrdom for Jesus.

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