2 Timothy 2:9

“Wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer, etc.] 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, (<442405>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,…”

“Wherein--in proclaiming which Gospel. suffer trouble--literally, "evil." I am a sufferer of evil as though I were a doer of evil. bonds-- (Ti2 1:16). word . . . not bound--Though my person is bound, my tongue and my pen are not (Ti2 4:17; Act 28:31). Or he alludes not merely to his own proclamation of the Gospel, though in chains, but to the freedom of its circulation by others, even though his power of circulating it is now prescribed (Phi 1:18). He also hints to Timothy that he being free ought to be the more earnest in the service of it.”

“Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil-doer - as if I were a violator of the laws. That is, I am treated as if I were a criminal. Even unto bonds - As if I were one of the words kind of malefactors; see the notes at Ephesians 6:20. During the apostle’s first imprisonment at Rome, he was permitted to “dwell in his own hired house,” though guarded by a soldier, and probably chained to him; see the notes at Acts 28:16, Acts 28:30. What was his condition in his second imprisonment, during which this Epistle was written, we have no means of knowing with certainty. It is probable, however, that he was subjected to much more rigid treatment than he had been in the first instance. The tradition is,…”

“Is not bound - Not hindered in its course. 2 Timothy 2:10”

“2:9 like a criminal: Paul was identifying with Jesus’ death (2:11; Phil 3:10-11). • the word of God cannot be chained: Both Paul and the Good News would be victorious through the power of Christ’s resurrection (see 2 Tim 4:17-18; see also 2 Cor 12:8-10; Phil 1:12-14).”

“I suffer: Ti2 1:8, Ti2 1:12, Ti2 1:16; Act 9:16 as: Eph 6:20; Pe1 2:12, Pe1 2:14, Pe1 3:16, Pe1 4:15 even: Act 28:31; Eph 6:19, Eph 6:20; Phi 1:12-14; Th2 3:1 but: Eph 3:1; Phi 1:7; Col 4:3, Col 4:18 2 Timothy 2:10”