Suffer hardship with me (4777) (sugkakopatheo from the combination of sun= together, with [speaks of intimate relation] + kakós = evil [of a soldier = cowardly] + patheo = suffer) means to suffer what is bad, to suffer ill treatment, to endure persecution, to suffer misfortune, to be in sorry case, - and to do all of these together with another. This compound verb is found only in here and in 2 Timothy 1:8. where Paul commands Timothy to "join with (him) in suffering for the gospel according to the power (dunamis) of God." (Click for discussion of 2Ti 1:8) The basic meaning of kakopatheo in use from Homer onwards is that of experiencing something which originates from outside of an individual and which affects that individual, either for good or ill. NIDNTT writes that the related root word pascho originally meant nothing more than “to be affected by”, but how one was affected had to be expressed by additional words, e.g. kakos paschein, to be in a bad situation (Homer, Od. 16, 275); eu paschein, to be in a good situation (Sophocles, OC 1489). However, since such additions tended to be negative, the vb. itself came to have a negative meaning, unless there were clear indications to the contrary. Thus the idea of being affected is replaced by that of suffering... In most cases it is a matter of being delivered up to an adverse fate or to malevolent gods and men (Diogenes Laertius, 5, 61; Diodorus Siculus, 13, 98, 2), and only rarely refers to enduring a punishment." (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) Larry Richards writes that this word group (pascho, patheo, etc)... in Greek culture expressed the view that humanity is afflicted with experiences that are beyond our control and yet cause us physical and mental anguish. (Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency) Paul is saying "Timothy be willing to take your share of rough treatment with me." Suffer is not a suggestion but a command - the aorist tense and imperative mood together convey a sense of urgency, and even ring out like a sharp military command. The idea of the aorist imperative is "Do this now! Do it effectively!" Wuest comments that the aorist imperative... is a sharp command given with military snap and curtness...How we in the ministry of the Word (Ed note: and in some sense every believer falls into this category) need that injunction today. What “softies” we sometimes are, afraid to come out clearly in our proclamation of the truth and our stand as to false doctrine, fearing the ostracism of our fellows, the ecclesiastical displeasure of our superiors, or the cutting off of our immediate financial income. I would rather walk a lonely road with Jesus than be without His fellowship in the crowd, wouldn’t you? I would rather live in a cottage and eat simple food, and have Him as Head of my house and the Unseen Guest at every meal, than to live in royal style in a mansion without Him. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos) The pronoun me is not in the original Greek but is inferred from the preposition with in the verb sugkakopatheo. By the use of this compound verb (especially sun = with) Paul assures his young protégée Timothy that he will not suffer alone (cf note 1 Peter 5:9). Paul is not asking anything of Timothy that he was not willing to experience himself. In some of his last written words, Paul uses the root kakopatheo commanding Timothy to endure hardship (see note 2Timothy 4:5) This idea of suffering for one's faith is foreign to most believers in Western Christianity and it's easy to forget that the Christian life entails continual warring against the forces of evil. Paul wanted young Timothy to have no illusions but to understand that being faithful to the truth, unwilling to twist it or compromise it for personal gain, and constantly preaching it even against threat of persecution would inevitably lead to suffering. This truth is well known to those who have come to faith in countries where conversion is punishable by imprisonment, beating and even death. All of this truth should come as no surprise for Jesus warned His disciples of the certain warfare declaring that... If the world (kosmos [word study]= represents the self-centered, godless value system of fallen mankind which loves sin and error and hates truth and holiness) hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. (John 15:18-21) Every true believer is in a sense in "active service" and must expect some measure of ill-treatment, even as every soldier does. John MacArthur adds that It is difficult for Christians in most of the Western world to understand what serious spiritual warfare and suffering for Christ mean. The secular environment in our society is becoming more and more hostile to Christianity and to religion in general. But we are not faced with loss of job, imprisonment, and execution because of our faith. With few exceptions, being a Christian will not keep a student out of college or a worker from getting a good job. But the more faithful a Christian becomes and the more the Lord blesses his work, the more Satan will put roadblocks, hardships, and rejection in the way, the more evident the spiritual warfare will become, and the more frequent and obvious the hardship will become." Chrysostom wrote that "It behooves thee not to complain if thou endure hardness; but to complain if thou dost not endure hardness. (MacArthur, J. 2 Timothy. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos) Felix Neff adds that a A Christian without affliction is only like a soldier on parade. Too often Christianity is presented to non-believers as the cure to all anxieties, difficulties, and trials and this so-called "gospel" can result in false disciples and/or false expectations. The essence of Paul's invitation still rings true... Take up your armor and join me in a lifelong struggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. A fruitful Christian life, inevitably, is accompanied by intense spiritual warfare and opposition. Paul wanted to encourage young Timothy to stand strong, as he himself had done for so long. Did Timothy obey? Paul answers this himself writing later that you followed (closely, side by side) my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings... (2Ti 3:10, 11-note) The writer of Hebrews has an interesting entry near the close of the letter recording... Take notice (present imperative) that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I shall see you. (He 13:23-note)! Timothy surely would have been familiar with the attributes of Roman soldiers and Plummer notes Timothy would have understood that Paul's charge was no small matter but that it involved... self-sacrifice, endurance, discipline, vigilance, obedience, ready co-operation with others, sympathy, enthusiasm, loyalty. Larry Richards writes that to suffer hardship as a good soldier means that... An easy life, distractions from our goal, these are all to be rejected. We’re to pick up our packs, and march through life as men and women on a mission." (Richards, L. The 365 Day Devotional Commentary. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books. 1990 ) Just as the Roman legionnaires suffered hardship in the service of the Emperor for temporal hardship for temporal gain, even more should be the willingness and desire of the Christian soldier in the service of the King of kings to suffer temporal hardship for eternal gain! A willingness to accept an assignment to suffer is the sure mark of a good soldier of Christ Jesus. In a parallel passage on the call of disciples to suffer hardship Luke records that after Paul and Barnabas had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations (thlipsis) we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:21, 22) ><> ><> ><> FISHING IN A TUB - Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ - The other day I read about a man who decided that his weekly fishing excursion was costing him too much money and causing him too much work. Therefore he purchased a large washtub, filled it with water, placed it under a shade tree in his backyard, pulled up a comfortable lawn chair and started his fishing. It seemed like a great idea. He thought of the money he was saving, and of the fact that he was no longer weary from hooking and unhooking his boat and loading and unloading his motor. He was also avoiding the bother of toting a gasoline can, tackle box, and supply of bait. Often he caught as many fish out of the tub as he did when he worked so hard on the lake or stream! (Exactly nothing!) However, this business of fishing in a tub gradually lost its appeal. He never felt the tingle of excitement that comes when the bobber disappears and a sudden tug is felt on the line. He also missed the fact that he no longer could tell stories to his friends about the large fish he caught, or the larger one that got away. Finally, he decided that although fishing in a tub is cheaper and easier, it is not nearly as rewarding as going to a lake or stream. Christians who are primarily concerned with relaxation and ease will soon find that life without discipleship and zealous service is not very rewarding. It's like fishing in a tub! Paul knew this, so he exhorted Timothy to endure hardness like a good soldier, to strive to excel like a determined athlete, and to toil patiently like a faithful farmer. This is the kind of Christian life that pays dividends and produces inner joy and satisfaction. Only thus can one know the thrill of being a true "fisher of men" and of bringing a needy soul to Jesus Christ! (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) Fishers would you be of men? Cut loose every shoreline then; Listen to the Master speak: "Launch out! Launch out into the deep!"— J. Oatman, Jr. If you are not "FISHING," you are not properly FOLLOWING the Lord! ><>><>><> Help Wanted! - Perhaps the most effective advertisement ever written appeared in a London newspaper early in the 20th century: "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger. Safe return doubtful." Those were the words written by Sir Ernest Shackleton, the famous South Pole explorer. Commenting on the overwhelming response he received, Shackleton said, "It seemed as though all the men in Great Britain were determined to accompany us." Shackleton's words remind me of Jesus' words in Matthew 16:24, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." The Lord was calling people to go with Him on a hazardous journey—the way of the cross. He issued that call after telling His disciples that He was going to Jerusalem to suffer and be killed. Through the centuries, thousands have responded to Jesus' words by forsaking all to follow Him. But unlike Shackleton's expedition that came to an end, the Lord's work goes on and volunteers are still needed. He continues to call for those who will serve Him regardless of the cost. Have you answered His call?— Richard De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) Never came the call more clear, Midst the storms of hate and fear, Jesus' love to show in this world of woe; For His grace is ever near. —Loes A faith that costs nothing and demands nothing is worth nothing. AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF CHRIST JESUS: os kalos stratiotes Christou Iesou: (Click for description of "Good Soldier" in Josephus, Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, et al) (See Torrey's Topic "Saints Compared To" ~ Metaphors for saints)(2Cor 10:3, 4, 5 Eph 6:11-18; 1Ti 1:18 1Cor 9:7; Php 2:25) The Metaphors of St Paul by John Saul Howson (1868) Chapter 1 - Roman Soldiers Chapter 2 - Classical Architecture Chapter 3 - Ancient Agriculture Chapter 4 - Greek Games Other Translations = as a loyal soldier (TEV), as a good (first-class) soldier (AMP), as one of the army of Christ Jesus (BBE) Paul informs us in Ephesians that all believers are involved in a spiritual battle "against the schemes (methodeia [word study] > English "method" = orderly logical effective arrangement usually in steps - our mortal enemy is very organized and methodical - Look out!) of the devil". Paul goes on to remind us that our "struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." The need of the hour for every "good soldier" of the Lord is to "take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." (Ep 6:11; 12; 13-see notes Ep 6:11; 12; 13) All believers must recognize that the Christian life is not a playground; but a battlefield where battles are being won and lost in real spiritual battles. Ultimately Christ Jesus has was victorious over the powers of darkness at Calvary, but in the meantime He has left us here and called us to be "good soldiers". Thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Cor 15:57) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/2_timothy_23-4.htm#Suffer