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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Ti_2:8-13
8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, 9for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. 10For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. 11It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him; 12If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.
2Ti_2:8 "Remember" This is present active imperative. Paul calls on Timothy's memory several times (cf. 2Ti_1:3-6; 2Ti_2:8; 2Ti_2:14). This particular occurrence emphasizes doctrines related to Christology.
▣ "Jesus Christ, risen from the dead" This is a perfect passive participle which implies that Jesus was raised by the Father and that He remains the resurrected One. Jesus' resurrection was the sign that the Father fully accepted the Son's earthly work, teachings and sacrifice for sin. Jesus' resurrection is one of the central pillars of Christianity (cf. 1 Corinthians 15).
The resurrection of Jesus is also an integral part of the early preaching (kerygma, see Special Topic at 2Ti_3:15) of Peter and Paul in Acts, which shows the often-repeated main truths of the gospel in the early church:
1. the Messiah must suffer
2. Jesus fulfilled OT prophecy
3. the new age of the Spirit has come in Jesus
4. Jesus died for sinners, which was God's predetermined plan
5. Jesus was raised from the dead and exalted to God's right hand
6. Jesus is coming again
7. whoever will trust Him in repentance and faith will be saved
A footnote (2,d) on page 365 of the Jerusalem Bible (1966) makes a good comment, "the Greek mind found the resurrection particularly hard to accept, Acts 17:37; 1Co_15:12."
2Ti_2:9 "I suffer hardship" This was a characteristic of first century gospel preaching. Paul knew it will and called on Timothy to join him (cf. 2Ti_1:8; 2Ti_2:3; 2Ti_4:5).
▣ "even to imprisonment as a criminal" Paul was imprisoned for preaching the gospel and was expecting to be beheaded soon (cf. 2Ti_4:6). Serving God in a fallen world costs (cf. 2Co_4:7-15; 2Co_6:1-10; 2Co_11:23-30)!
▣ "but the word of God is not imprisoned" I entitled this volume "Paul Bound, but the Gospel Unbound" from this verse. Only our silence imprisons "the word of God"!
▣ "descendant of David" This speaks of His true humanity (cf. Mat_1:1; Rom_1:3) and the fulfillment of prophecy (cf. 2Sa_7:14 ff).
▣ "according to my gospel" These are Paul's very words in Rom_2:16; Rom_16:25. This refers to his apostolic preaching of the gospel.
2Ti_2:10 "I endure" This means "voluntary, active, steadfast endurance." Paul chose to remain under the load of gospel ministry for the sake of others.
▣ "who are chosen" God knows His own (cf. Tit_1:1; Rev_13:8). Apparently this refers both to those who have responded and those who have not yet responded (cf. Rom_11:25-26) to the gospel.
▣ "that they also may obtain the salvation" This salvation is only through Christ and unto eternal life (cf. 1Th_5:9; 2Th_2:13-14).
▣ "and with it eternal glory" NT salvation can be characterized by the things one is delivered from and the things one is given.
A. Delivered from
1. sin
2. Satan and the demonic powers
3. error
4. self-deception
B. Given
1. a peace with God now
2. a purpose in life now
3. a giftedness for ministry now
4. a Spirit-filled and directed life now
5. a future consummation
6. a future home in heaven
7. a future glory with Christ
8. a future reigning with Christ
9. a future body like Christ's
▣ "glory" This glory refers to the final salvation called "glorification" in Rom_8:28-30. See fuller note at 1Ti_1:17.
2Ti_2:11 "if" This is the last of the five "trustworthy statements" in the Pastoral Letters (cf. 1Ti_1:15; 1Ti_3:1; 1Ti_4:9; Tit_3:8). This one (2Ti_2:11-13) appears to be a quote from a creed or hymn.
1. a series of four "if" clauses (first class conditional sentences, cf. 2Ti_2:11-13 twice)
2. the first two are positive; the last two are negative
3. the third and fourth clauses have an extra line
▣ "we died with Him" This is one of several syn compounds in 2 Timothy. It speaks of the biblical metaphor of baptism by immersion (cf. Rom_6:1-11; Gal_2:20). This exact form occurs only here, in Mar_14:31, and 2Co_7:3.
▣ "we shall live with Him" This is another rare syn compound (cf. Rom_6:8; 2Co_7:3). This refers to the believers' confidence of sustained fellowship with Jesus, not only now by faith but one day (and every day) face to face.
The first three "if" clauses end in future tense verbs which assume an eschatological (i.e., end time) setting. The entire NT has this same already-but-not-yet tension. The kingdom of God has come (inaugurated) in Jesus but it has not been consummated. Believers experience many aspects of the Kingdom now, but others are reserved for the Second Coming.
▣ "if we endure" This grammatical construction (first class conditional sentence) assumes believers will persevere.
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2Ti_2:12 "we will also reign" This is another syn compound found here and in 1Co_4:8. Paul is very fond of these compounds. The time, place, and participants are uncertain.
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▣ "If we deny Him He also will deny us" This is a strong warning (see hyperlink at 1Ti_4:1)! Remember that this was an age of persecution, torture, and death (cf. Mat_10:32-33; Luk_9:26; 1Ti_5:8; Tit_1:16; 2Pe_2:1; Jud_1:4).
2Ti_2:13 "If we are faithless, He remains faithful" This phrase is very surprising. The condition is still first class (assumed to be true); one would have expected a third class (potential action).
In what sense is the believer faithless? Does this mean
1. faltering under persecution or trial
2. following the false teachers
3. ungodly lifestyle
This may reflect the OT covenant's concept of God's faithfulness amidst Israel's continual unfaithfulness (cf. Mal_3:6). Ultimately the hope of believers is on the unchanging character and promises of God. YHWH's faithfulness is both a descriptive title (Deu_7:9; Isa_49:7; 1Co_1:9; 1Co_10:13; 2Co_1:18; 1Th_5:24; 2Th_3:3) and a characteristic (Psa_36:5; Psa_40:10; Psa_89:1-2; Psa_89:5; Psa_89:8; Psa_92:2; Psa_119:90; Heb_6:17-18; 1Pe_4:19) which is fully revealed in Christ (Heb_6:13-20). Because some abandon the faith (see Special Topic: Apostasy at 1Ti_4:1) does not imply that God abandoned them (see hyperlink at 2Ti_1:12)! Free will functions at every level. God's grace and faithfulness are not in jeopardy because of the false teachers and their followers' faithlessness!
▣ "He cannot deny Himself" This asserts that as the character of God is unchanging (i.e., Psa_102:27; Mal_3:6), so too, Jesus is unchangeable (cf. Heb_13:8). It is this unchanging Divine nature of mercy and grace that is the bedrock of the believer's hope, confidence, and assurance!