Could You Give Thanks While Sitting in a Sewer?
Picture this:
You’re in Rome’s worst prison cell. It’s called the Mamertine Prison—basically a hole in the ground with stone walls. No windows. No light except what filters through a hole in the ceiling. The smell is overwhelming—human waste, decay, death. It’s cold. It’s damp. It’s dark.
You’re chained. Your wrists are raw from the iron shackles. Your body aches from beatings and years of hardship. You haven’t seen the sun in weeks, maybe months.
Your friends? Most have abandoned you. They’re afraid to be associated with you because you’re a convicted criminal awaiting execution.
Your future? You know exactly what it holds. The executioner’s blade. Any day now.
In that moment, what would come out of your mouth?
Would you:
- Curse God for allowing this?
- Complain about the injustice?
- Rage at the people who abandoned you?
- Despair over the end of your life and ministry?
- Beg for rescue?
Or would you give thanks?
That’s exactly what the Apostle Paul did. And his example in 2 Timothy 1:1-7 reveals something profound about giving thanks in suffering and maintaining a clear conscience in suffering that most of us have never experienced.
Alex Kremer’s sermon on this passage unpacks how Paul could write with gratitude from a dungeon, what sustained him in his darkest hour, and what it means for us when we face our own hard circumstances.
Why This Opening of 2 Timothy Matters
This Atlantic Gospel Chapel Iowa sermon continues the study of 2 Timothy—Paul’s final letter, written during Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome.
But here’s what’s crucial to understand: Paul doesn’t open with his circumstances. He opens with thanksgiving.
2 Timothy 1:3: “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.”
Wait… what?
You’re in a sewer waiting to be beheaded, and you’re thanking God?
Yes. That’s exactly what Paul does.
And if we can understand why Paul was thankful in prison, we’ll discover the secret to how to remain thankful when life is hard in our own circumstances.
The Setting: Paul’s Horrific Second Imprisonment
Before we dive into Paul’s thanksgiving, we need to grasp just how bad his situation was.
The Mamertine Prison
According to historical sources, Paul was likely imprisoned in the Mamertine Prison in Rome—a place specifically designed to hold condemned criminals awaiting execution.
It consisted of two chambers:
Upper Chamber: A round room about 30 feet in diameter with a hole in the floor
Lower Chamber: The dungeon—accessed only through that hole in the ceiling. No door. No windows. Just a pit.
The lower chamber is where tradition says Paul was held. It was:
- Completely dark (except for light from the hole above)
- Filled with the stench of human waste and death
- Cold and damp
- Designed to break prisoners before execution
This wasn’t house arrest like Paul’s first imprisonment. This was a death row dungeon.
The Difference Between First and Second Imprisonment
First Imprisonment (Acts 28):
- Rented apartment
- Visitors welcome
- Could preach freely
- Relatively comfortable
Paul’s second imprisonment (2 Timothy):
- Underground dungeon
- Few visitors (Onesiphorus had to search for him)
- Chained as a criminal
- Awaiting execution
Alex Kremer emphasizes: Understanding Paul’s actual conditions makes his thanksgiving even more remarkable.
Paul’s Thanksgiving: Not Denial, But Deep Theology
So how does Paul open his final letter?
2 Timothy 1:1-2: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Let’s unpack this:
“By the Will of God”
Paul identifies himself as an apostle “by the will of God.”
This is crucial. Paul isn’t in prison by accident. He’s not there because he made a mistake or because God lost control.
He’s there by God’s sovereign will.
Does that mean God wanted Paul to suffer? Not in the sense that God delights in suffering. But in the sense that God had purposes in Paul’s imprisonment that Paul trusted completely.
Your Application:
When you’re suffering, do you believe God is still sovereign? Still in control? Still working His purposes?
Or do you think your circumstances caught Him by surprise?
Paul’s faith said: “I’m here by God’s will. Therefore, I can trust Him even in this dungeon.”
“According to the Promise of Life in Christ Jesus”
This phrase is loaded with meaning.
Paul’s apostleship—his calling, his ministry, his entire life—is “according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus.”
Not just physical life. Eternal life. Resurrection life. Life that can’t be killed by an executioner’s sword.
Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Paul knows: Even if they kill me, I have the promise of life in Christ Jesus.
That’s what enables thanksgiving in suffering.
Your Application:
Do you truly believe in resurrection life? That death is not the end?
If you do, it changes how you view suffering. It’s temporary. Limited. Can’t touch what matters most.
“To Timothy, My Beloved Child”
Despite everything Paul’s facing, his heart is full of love for Timothy.
Not: “To Timothy, who better appreciate what I’m going through.”
Not: “To Timothy, who better not let me down.”
But: “To Timothy, my beloved child.”
This is a father’s love. Tender. Genuine. Sacrificial.
Alex Kremer emphasizes: Paul’s circumstances didn’t embitter him or make him harsh. His love for Timothy remained.
Your Application:
When you’re suffering, do you become harsh? Bitter? Self-focused?
Or does your love for others remain?
Suffering reveals what’s really in your heart.
Paul’s Constant Thanksgiving (2 Timothy 1:3)
2 Timothy 1:3: “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.”
Let’s break down several key elements:
“I Thank God”
Biblical thanksgiving theology isn’t based on circumstances. It’s based on who God is and what He’s done.
Paul doesn’t thank God FOR the prison cell. He thanks God IN the prison cell.
There’s a difference:
Thanking God FOR suffering: “Thank you God for this horrible dungeon.” (That would be weird and potentially dishonest)
Thanking God IN suffering: “God, even though I’m in this dungeon, I thank You for Your faithfulness, Your promises, Your love, Your purposes.” (That’s faith)
1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Not FOR everything. IN everything.
Your Application:
What can you thank God for right now, even if your circumstances are hard?
- His character (He’s good, faithful, loving)
- His promises (He’ll never leave you, He works all things for good)
- His past faithfulness (He’s brought you through before)
- His presence (He’s with you even now)
- His purposes (He’s working even when you can’t see it)
“With a Clear Conscience”
This is remarkable. Clear conscience in suffering is rare.
Most people in Paul’s situation would be tormented by:
- Regret: “If only I’d done things differently”
- Guilt: “Maybe I deserve this”
- Bitterness: “This is so unfair”
- Doubt: “Did I misunderstand God’s will?”
Paul has none of that.
Why? Because he served God “with a clear conscience.”
A clear conscience means:
- You’ve been faithful to what God called you to
- You’re not harboring unconfessed sin
- You’re not compromising truth to escape hardship
- You can look back on your life and say, “I did what God asked”
Acts 23:1: “Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, ‘Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.'”
Acts 24:16: “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.”
Your Application:
How to give thanks in difficult circumstances Bible teaches us starts with this: Deal with your conscience.
If you’re suffering and you know you’re guilty, you can’t have peace. Confess. Repent. Get right with God.
If you’re suffering and your conscience is clear, you can have peace even in the storm.
Which describes you?
“As I Constantly Remember You in My Prayers Night and Day”
Paul is in a dungeon. Chained. Awaiting death.
And he’s praying for Timothy. Constantly. Night and day.
Not: “Timothy, I need you to pray for me constantly.”
But: “Timothy, I’m praying for you constantly.”
This is selfless love. This is ministry that doesn’t stop even in suffering.
Alex Kremer points out: Paul’s circumstances didn’t stop his ministry. They changed the location, but not the commitment.
Your Application:
When you’re going through hard times, do you:
- Stop serving others?
- Expect everyone to serve you?
- Become completely self-focused?
Or do you continue to pray for, encourage, and serve others even in your suffering?
Ministry doesn’t stop when life gets hard. It might look different, but it continues.
Paul’s Longing to See Timothy (2 Timothy 1:4)
2 Timothy 1:4: “Longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.”
Paul remembers Timothy’s tears. Probably tears from their last goodbye. Timothy knew this might be the last time he saw Paul.
And Paul longs to see him again.
Not because Paul needs something from Timothy. But because Paul loves him.
Paul says seeing Timothy would fill him with joy—even in prison.
This reveals Paul’s heart:
- He’s not isolated in self-pity
- He’s not bitter about being alone
- He’s not demanding that people come
- He’s simply expressing love and longing for fellowship
Your Application:
Who do you long to see? Who fills you with joy when you’re together?
Are you investing in those relationships? Or are you taking them for granted?
And when you can’t be together physically, are you faithful to pray for them like Paul did?
Timothy’s Heritage: The Impact of Godly Parents and Grandparents
2 Timothy 1:5: “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”
This verse is crucial for understanding Timothy’s conversion story and the impact of godly parents and grandparents.
The Faith of Lois and Eunice
Timothy came from a unique family background:
Acts 16:1: “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.”
So:
- Grandmother Lois: Jewish, became a Christian
- Mother Eunice: Jewish, became a Christian, married a Greek (non-Jewish) man
- Father: Greek, apparently not a believer (he’s barely mentioned in Scripture)
- Timothy: Raised by his mother and grandmother in the faith
Alex Kremer emphasizes: Timothy’s faith began in his home, passed down through two generations of faithful women.
“Unhypocritical Faith”
The word translated “sincere” is the Greek word “anhypokritos”—literally “unhypocritical” or “without hypocrisy.”
What is unhypocritical faith?
It’s faith that is:
- Genuine, not fake
- Consistent, not just for show
- Real, not just religious performance
- Lived out, not just talked about
Lois and Eunice didn’t just tell Timothy about Jesus. They lived it in front of him.
He saw their faith in action:
- In how they handled trials
- In how they treated others
- In how they prayed
- In how they studied Scripture
- In their daily choices
And that genuine faith was passed on to Timothy.
The Power of Generational Faith
This reveals the impact of godly parents and grandparents:
Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7: “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”
The faith of Lois influenced Eunice.
The faith of Eunice influenced Timothy.
The faith of Timothy influenced countless others through his ministry.
That’s generational impact.
Your Application:
If you’re a parent or grandparent:
What kind of faith are you modeling?
Is it:
- Genuine? Or fake?
- Consistent? Or just Sunday morning?
- Real? Or just religious talk?
Your children and grandchildren are watching. What are they learning?
If you came from a faithful family like Timothy:
Are you honoring that heritage by continuing in the faith?
Or are you wasting the spiritual investment that was made in you?
If you didn’t come from a faithful family:
You can be the first. You can be the Lois or Eunice for the next generation.
Start now. Be faithful. Pass it on.
Rekindling the Gift of God (2 Timothy 1:6)
2 Timothy 1:6: “For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
What Was Timothy’s Gift?
We’re not told exactly what spiritual gift Timothy had. But we know:
- He was effective in ministry
- He was appointed as a leader in the church
- Paul and the elders laid hands on him, recognizing God’s gifting
- He had the ability to teach and lead
But apparently, Timothy needed to be reminded to use it boldly.
“Kindle Afresh” = Rekindle, Fan the Flame
The Greek word means to “fan into flame” or “stir up.”
Picture a campfire that’s died down to embers. It’s still hot. Still has potential. But it needs to be stirred up, fanned, fed with fuel.
That’s what Timothy needed.
His gift hadn’t disappeared. But maybe:
- Discouragement had dampened it
- Opposition had caused him to hold back
- Fear had made him timid
- Paul’s imprisonment had shaken his confidence
Paul says: Rekindle the gift of God within you.
Your Application:
Has your spiritual gift been dampened?
Maybe you used to:
- Teach with boldness
- Serve with enthusiasm
- Give generously
- Encourage freely
- Lead confidently
But now:
- You’re holding back
- You’re playing it safe
- You’re discouraged
- You’re timid
It’s time to rekindle the gift of God within you.
How?
- Remember what God called you to – Don’t let circumstances change your calling
- Confess any fear or timidity – Acknowledge where you’ve held back
- Step out in faith – Use your gift, even if you’re scared
- Ask others to pray for you – Get support from fellow believers
- Trust the Holy Spirit’s power – You’re not doing this in your own strength
The Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)
This is one of the most quoted verses in 2 Timothy:
2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
Not Timidity
The word “timidity” means cowardice, fearfulness, pulling back.
God did NOT give you that.
If you’re timid, fearful, constantly pulling back from using your gifts or taking risks for the gospel—that’s not from God.
Where does timidity come from?
- Satan (who wants to silence you)
- Your flesh (which wants to stay comfortable)
- The world (which wants to intimidate you)
But not from God.
Power
God gave you a spirit of power.
This is the same word used in Acts 1:8:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses.”
The Holy Spirit empowers you to:
- Speak boldly
- Serve effectively
- Overcome obstacles
- Endure hardship
- Accomplish what God calls you to
You’re not operating in your own strength. You have God’s power.
Love
God gave you a spirit of love.
Not just warm feelings. Sacrificial, others-focused, servant-hearted love.
1 Corinthians 13 love.
Love that:
- Puts others first
- Serves sacrificially
- Speaks truth
- Bears all things
- Believes all things
- Hopes all things
- Endures all things
This love prevents you from being harsh, domineering, or self-serving in ministry.
Self-Discipline (or Sound Mind)
The word here can be translated “self-discipline,” “sound mind,” or “self-control.”
It means:
- Thinking clearly
- Acting wisely
- Not being driven by emotions
- Exercising restraint when needed
- Making wise decisions
This prevents you from being reckless, foolish, or emotionally unstable.
The Balance
Notice the balance:
Power without love = Harsh, domineering, destructive
Love without power = Weak, ineffective, unable to accomplish anything
Power and love without discipline = Reckless, foolish, inconsistent
But power + love + discipline = Effective, faithful, balanced ministry
Your Application:
Using spiritual gifts boldly requires this balance.
Which element are you lacking?
If you’re timid: You need to embrace the power God has given you
If you’re harsh: You need to grow in love
If you’re reckless: You need to develop self-discipline
Ask God to develop all three in you.
Practical Steps: How to Give Thanks in Difficult Circumstances Bible Teaches
Based on Paul’s example in 2 Timothy 1:1-7, here’s how to cultivate giving thanks in suffering:
This Week:
- Identify what you CAN thank God for – Even if circumstances are hard, what are you grateful for?
- Confess any bitterness – If you’ve been ungrateful or bitter, confess it and ask God to change your heart
- Check your conscience – Is there unconfessed sin? Deal with it so you can have a clear conscience
- Pray for someone else – Even in your hardship, intercede for others
This Month:
- Study Paul’s prison epistles – Read Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon—all written from prison, all full of thanksgiving
- Listen to the full sermon – Hear Alex Kremer’s complete message here
- Identify your spiritual gift – What has God uniquely gifted you to do?
- Rekindle that gift – Step out in faith and use it boldly
This Year:
- Develop the habit of thanksgiving – Daily practice of thanking God, regardless of circumstances
- Pass on your faith – If you’re a parent/grandparent, invest intentionally in the next generation
- Evaluate your spirit – Are you operating in power, love, and self-discipline? Or in timidity?
- Serve despite suffering – Don’t let hard circumstances stop your ministry
Why Was Paul Thankful in Prison? The Heart of Biblical Thanksgiving
Let me directly answer this question: Why was Paul thankful in prison?
Not because:
- He enjoyed suffering (he didn’t)
- He was in denial about his circumstances (he wasn’t)
- He was naturally optimistic (that’s not it)
- He didn’t care about his situation (he did)
But because:
1. He Knew God Was Sovereign
Paul understood: I’m here by God’s will. Therefore, God has purposes I can trust even if I don’t understand.
2. He Had the Promise of Life in Christ
Death wasn’t the end. It was the beginning. The executioner’s sword couldn’t touch what mattered most.
3. He Had a Clear Conscience
He had been faithful. He could look back without regret. That brings peace even in suffering.
4. His Relationship with God Was Secure
Nothing—not prison, not chains, not death—could separate him from God’s love.
5. He Focused on Others, Not Himself
His prayers were for Timothy. His concern was for the churches. He wasn’t consumed with self-pity.
6. He Believed God’s Purposes Were Being Accomplished
Even in prison, the gospel was advancing. God was working. That brought joy.
That’s biblical thanksgiving theology: Gratitude rooted not in circumstances, but in God’s character and purposes.
Ministry Isn’t Just for Pastors: Every Believer Is Called
One final crucial point Alex Kremer emphasizes: Ministry isn’t reserved for the pulpit.
Paul had the gift of apostleship.
Timothy had the gift of teaching/leadership.
But every Christian has been given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:7: “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
1 Peter 4:10: “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Your Application:
You have a spiritual gift. You have a ministry. You have a calling.
**It might not be:
- Preaching sermons
- Leading a church
- Going to the foreign mission field
But it is:
- Using whatever gift God gave you
- Serving the body of Christ
- Building up other believers
- Pointing people to Jesus
Don’t let timidity hold you back.
Don’t wait for the “perfect time.”
Don’t think “I’m not qualified” or “That’s for other people.”
God gave you a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.
Use it.
Boldly.
The Bottom Line: Thanksgiving in a Sewer
Could you give thanks while sitting in a sewer?
Paul did.
Not because he was superhuman. But because he had:
- A sovereign God he trusted completely
- A clear conscience that brought peace
- The promise of eternal life that put suffering in perspective
- Relationships he valued more than comfort
- A ministry he continued even in chains
- Spiritual gifts empowered by the Holy Spirit
- A faith modeled and passed on by faithful people
And here’s the stunning truth: You have access to all the same things.
The same sovereign God.
The same opportunity for a clear conscience.
The same promise of eternal life.
The same Holy Spirit empowering you.
The same calling to pass on your faith.
Paul’s example isn’t just inspiring. It’s instructive.
It shows us that giving thanks in suffering is possible—not through denial, but through deep theology.
When you know:
- God is in control
- Nothing separates you from His love
- Death is not the end
- Your suffering has purpose
- God is working even when you can’t see it
You can give thanks. Even in a sewer. Even facing death. Even when everything is hard.
Not because circumstances are good. But because God is good.
And that never changes.
Experience the Complete Message
This blog post only captures a portion of the depth, challenge, and encouragement in Alex Kremer’s teaching. To hear the full sermon with all the biblical exposition, historical context, and pastoral application, listen to the complete message here.
Whether you’re struggling with how to remain thankful when life is hard, wondering about using spiritual gifts boldly, or need encouragement to rekindle the gift of God within you, this sermon will challenge and transform your perspective on suffering, thanksgiving, and ministry.
About Atlantic Gospel Chapel Iowa: We’re a Bible-teaching church in Atlantic, Iowa, committed to expositional preaching that takes Scripture seriously and applies it practically. We believe that biblical thanksgiving theology isn’t just theory—it’s lived out in real suffering by real people empowered by the Holy Spirit. If you’re looking for teaching that challenges you to live boldly for Christ with a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, we’d love to have you join us.
