2Timothy 2:8-13 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abides faithful: he cannot deny himself.
‘Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.’ Whatever we suffer, remember Jesus and His sufferings. If God raised Him up, He will also do the same for us.
‘Evil doer’ [Greek: kakourgos] is used only here and of the malefactors in Luke 23:32, 33, 39. I suffer as a criminal and gladly endure it for the elect’s sake that they may be saved eternally (2:9-10).
‘Elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.’ The elect here is the Gentiles for whose salvation Paul was bound. Four Elects of God: Christ (Isa. 42:1; 1Pet. 2:6). All Christians (Rom. 8:33; Col. 3:12; Tit. 1:1; John 15:16; Eph. 1:4; 2:10; 2Thess. 2:13; 2Jn. 1:1, 13). Israel (Isa. 45:4; 65:9, 22; Matt. 24:21-31; Mark 13:22, 27; 1Pet. 1:2). Angels (1Tim. 5:21). Anyone chosen of God at any time, Jew or Gentile, is the elect of God (Rom. 9:11; 11:5, 7, 28; 1Thess. 1:4; 1Pet. 5:13; 2Pet. 1:10). All men are called to become God’s elect or chosen ones and can be if they will choose God (Matt. 11:28-30; 20:16; John 1:12; 3:16-20; 6:37; Eph. 1:4; 2Thess. 2:13; Jas. 2:5; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev. 17:14; 22:17).
‘It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him …’ This is the first New Testament prophecy in 2 Timothy (2:11-13).
Four faithful sayings: If we are dead with Him, we shall live with Him (2:11; Rom. 6:8; 2Cor. 5:15). If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him (2:12; Rom. 8:17-18). If we deny Him, He also will deny us (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26). If we believe not, He remains faithful: He cannot deny Himself (2:13). If we deny the faith and apostatize, He is as true to His threatenings as He is to His promises. He cannot lie and act contrary to His Word or Himself, so He is as much under obligation to curse for sin as to bless for righteousness.