It is diffucult to find people who are both characteristically bold and humble at the same time. Bold people are usually not humble and humble people are usually not bold. Boldness and humility seem to be mutually exclusive character qualities—unless, of course, the boldness or humility evident in an individual is the result of the gospel’s activity. Only the gospel can produce people who are both bold and humble at the same time.

2 Timothy 1:6-12 is a text that is marked both by boldness and humility. In verse 7, Paul says to Timothy, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” He then exhorts Timothy not to “be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord…but to share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8). That’s bold talk, really bold talk. God gives power, love and self-control so that we need not be ashamed but able to share in suffering. Then, in verse 9, Paul tells Timothy that God did not save them because of their works “but because of His own purpose and grace” (2 Timothy 1:9). That’s humble talk, really humble talk. Paul says, “God did not save us because we are or have done anything special. No, He saved us because of His own grace.” So, on the one hand, Paul’s words to Timothy are bold words. On the other hand, those bold words are marked by deep humility. 2 Timothy 1:6-12 has much to teach us about Christian boldness—a boldness that is not lacking but excelling in humility. So, I want to answer three questions from 2 Timothy 1:6-12 regarding boldness.
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