Paul encourages Timothy to be unashamed–of Jesus and Paul, of the Gospel, and of his ministry. Paul appeals to Timothy to keep the pattern of faith he has seen in Paul himself, in contrast to the pattern of faithlessness of Phygellus and Hermogenes. Then Paul tells Timothy to uphold the faithfulness of Onesiphorus as an encouragement. This reminds us that we must be faithful to the beautiful Gospel of Christ through suffering, the discouragement of deserters, and hardship.