12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:



Ver. 12. If we suffer] No wearing the crown but by bearing the cross first. Ne Iesum quidem audias gloriosum, nisi videris prius crucifixum, saith Luther (Epist. ad Melancthon). Christ himself was not glorified till first crucified. Queen Elizabeth is said to have swam to her crown through a sea of sorrow; so must we.



If we deny him] {See Trapp on "Mat_10:33"} God usually retaliates, pays men home in their own coin, proportions jealousy to jealousy, provocation to provocation, Deu_22:21; Isa_66:3-4.