2 Timothy 2:9

9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

2 Timothy 2:9 in Other Translations

9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!

9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.

9 It's what I'm sitting in jail for right now - but God's Word isn't in jail!

9 For this I suffer, to the point of being bound like a criminal; but God's message is not bound.

2 Timothy 2:9 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 2:9

Wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer
As a malefactor, as if guilty of some capital crime; an enemy to the law of Moses, a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition everywhere, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, ( Acts 24:5 ) . The Ethiopic version renders it, "as a thief". The "trouble" he suffered were reproaches, persecutions, whipping, beating, stoning, imprisonment: for he adds,

even unto bonds;
for he was now a prisoner, and in chains; nor was it the first time, he was in prisons frequent; and all this for the sake of the Gospel, which he preached, concerning the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ:

but the word of God is not bound;
for the apostle, while a prisoner at Rome, had the liberty of dwelling by himself, in his own hired house, though held in chains, and guarded by a soldier, and of receiving his friends, and of preaching the Gospel to as many as would come to hear him, ( Acts 28:16 Acts 28:17 Acts 28:23 Acts 28:30 Acts 28:31 ) as well as of sending letters to the churches; for several of his epistles were written by him when a prisoner, as those to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians; and this to Timothy, and also that to Philemon: so that the Gospel was not restrained, or the apostle restrained from publishing it, both by word of mouth, and by writing; which was a great support to him under his troubles. Moreover, the Gospel was the more spread through the bonds of the apostle, and met with great success; it became known in Caesar's palace, and was the means of the conversion of some of his household; and many of the brethren, through his bonds, became bolder to preach the Gospel of Christ; so that it had a free course, and was glorified: and sometimes so it is, that persecution is a means of the greater spread of the Gospel; which was an effect that followed upon the persecution raised against the church at Jerusalem, upon the death of Stephen, ( Acts 8:1-4 ) . And indeed, when God opens an effectual door, none can shut it, though there be many adversaries; and when he gives the word a commission, there is no stopping it; when it comes in power, it bears down all before it; it cannot be fettered and bound by men, though men may be fettered and bound for the sake of it.

2 Timothy 2:9 In-Context

7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,

9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;

Cross References

• 1. S Acts 9:16
• 2. S Acts 21:33
• 3. S Hebrews 4:12