在最初的問候和感恩之後，保錄勸勉弟茂德要忠於他所領受的恩典：不要以福音為恥，反而要為福音作見證，承擔一切痛苦。

保祿自己也經歷同樣的試煉，但他深信上主會保守他所領受的，直到耶穌再來的日子。

或許我們並不以福音為恥，但我們並非總是為此感到驕傲。

我們應當為自己感到欣慰，因為我們認識真理，擁有盼望，並為此不斷地感謝主。

這是一種簡單而有力的方式，可以見證上主對我們的愛。

After the initial greeting and thanksgiving, Paul exhorts Timothy to be faithful to the grace he has received: not be ashamed of the gospel but bear any burden in view of witnessing for it. Paul too is undergoing the same trials but confident that God can guard what has been entrusted to him until the day of Jesus’ coming.

Perhaps we are not ashamed of the gospel, however, not always are we  proud of it either. We should congratulate ourselves because we know the truth and have hope and for this thank the Lord continually. This is a simple and attractive way of giving witness to the love of God for us.