"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
2 Timothy 1:12
What do you think it would take to make you feel really safe and secure? Some people today have panic rooms in their homes. In an emergency it’s a room where they can hide behind bullet and even bomb proof walls. They may have food and water for several days. They live with a sense of having sanctuary, if they can just get to that safe place in time…. We don’t know what the future holds, and many people live in fear of what might be tomorrow.
Paul is a great example of someone who had committed his life and future to the Lord. What were his thoughts about tomorrow? He was clearly focused on Jesus. And the scriptures seem to tell us that He had no worries for his future because he understood that His Lord would take care of him.
Paul was appointed by God as “a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles,” (v. 11). This appointment carried much weight in Paul’s life. In fact he said because of this appointment, “I also suffer these things,” (v. 12). Paul was no stranger to suffering and he willingly suffered for the sake of Jesus Christ. He was not ashamed of Jesus, nor of His Gospel, (Romans 1:16). Remember what he has just said to Timothy? “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God,” (v. 8). Paul was encouraging Timothy to join with him in his suffering for the Gospel.
The rest of verse 12 has become the text of one of our well-loved hymns today.
“…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”1
Paul said he knew personally the One he was putting his trust in. There was no question in his mind whom he was serving.
–know Whom you believe.
–know what you believe.
The Lord persuaded Paul that he could commit himself to His trust.
Persuaded – the grammar2 says, he was persuaded at some time in the past,
and the results of that “persuasion” continue into the present when he wrote
this. In other words Paul was completely convinced…
He was convinced that the Lord is able to keep…
Able – this word in the Greek text is a little weak compared to how it is used in other places.
In Luke 24:19, Jesus is a prophet described as “mighty in deed and word.”
In 2 Corinthians 10:4, Paul said this about our spiritual weapons, “The weapons of our warfare are mighty….”
“He is able to keep…” He is mighty to keep, He is more than capable of keeping what Paul committed to Him!
“That which I have committed unto Him…”
This is the language of banking. The Greek phrase for “I have committed” can be literally translated, “my deposit.” Paul’s deposit in the bank of heaven could be reached by no burglar. His deposit was completely safe!
“Against that day.”
What day? The day when Jesus Christ returned, the day of His appearing (2 Timothy 1:18; 4:8). In Paul’s mind he is thinking that he is ready to see Christ through his death, or at Christ’s return, whichever came first. But in either case Paul knew that he was safe.
Is your life and future secure? It is if you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the only one that can keep you safe and secure!
1. Daniel Whittle, “I Know Whom I Have Believed,” published 1883. Lyrics by James McGranahan, also published 1883. Public Domain.
2. This is a perfect passive indicative verb, 1st person singular.