2:8: In these verses (2:8-13), Paul moves from the example of Jesus, to himself, and then to all Christians. 2:8-13 highlights transformed discipleship taking place: Jesus to Paul and from Paul to Timothy and all Christ-followers.  

 

Being “the offspring of David” highlights Jesus’ humanity, but it also emphasized the idea of his Messiahship and God’s kingdom (the throne of David: 2 Samuel 7:12-17; cf. Luke 1:31-33; Matthew 1:1; Romans 1:3). Jesus is the promised Messiah who will one day rule with perfect justice, peace, and mercy (the millennial kingdom: Revelation 20:1-6). Presently, Jesus spiritually reigns in the gospel’s proclamation, our forgiveness and deliverance from sin, physical healings, and our victory in spiritual warfare.

The phrase, “risen from the dead,” points to Jesus’ divinity (Romans 1:4), but it also directs our attention to him dying our sins (Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21) and conquering sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Romans 1:9-10).   

When we combining these truths together, we have the key theological truths “preached in [Paul’s] gospel.” (1) Jesus is both divine and human. (2) Jesus died for our sins. (3) Jesus conquered sin and death. (4) Jesus reigns (spiritual kingdom of God).  

 

2 Timothy 2:8 also reminds us that the path of glory is paved with steps of perseverance and suffering. Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation were preceded by his sacrificial service and sacrificial death. In short, our call to persevere in our faith is based on Jesus’ life.  

2:9-10: Paul suffered because of the gospel. He was imprisoned in a cold dungeon in Rome for living for the gospel (1:8-18). Because of his faithfulness to the gospel, Paul was “bound with chains as a criminal” (1:9). According to Guthrie, “The word kakourgos was the contemporary word for a common criminal. The only other place where it is used in the New Testament is in Luke 23:32-39, where it describes those crucified with Jesus” (155-156).   

Although Paul himself was bound and chained, God’s Word cannot be “bound” (2:9). You may imprison Paul, the preacher, the teacher, the church planting and disciple-making missionary, but you can’t keep the Scriptures locked up in a cold dungeon. 

Paul informed Timothy that he will “endure everything for the sake of the elect” in order for them to “obtain the salvation in Christ Jesus” (2:10) As motioned previously (1:9-10), the elect refers to those God has chosen according to His will (Calvinism) or those God has chosen in Christ to be holy (Arminian). 

Paul was willing to endure hostile crowds, threats, physical beatings, hunger, “a thorn in the flesh,” challenging weather conditions, the loss of friends, and imprisonment for the proclamation of the gospel and salvation of God’s people.     

What are we willing to endure for the gospel so that others will be saved?

Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Paul’s suffering not only leads to presently experiencing abundant life (John 10:10), but it ultimately leads to “eternal glory” (cf. Romans 8:17-18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; 1 Peter 1:3-4; 5:10). 

This eternal glory includes a future glorified body (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44; 51-53; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:4). No more cancer. No more Alzheimer’s. No more heart disease. God redeems both body and soul. Paul’s suffering (and the suffering of other Christ-followers) has led to salvation and future glorified bodies for God’s people.  

2:11: Most commentators agree that 2:11-13 was part of an early Christian hymn. These verses highlight a believer’s spiritual union with/in Christ (cf. Romans 6:1-14). “The saying is trustworthy”—that is, the teaching about being spiritually united with Christ is a spiritual truth that we can trust. 

What does it mean to be spiritually united with/to Christ? Christians have died to their old lives (spiritually united to Jesus when he died as a sin offering) and have now been raised to a new life (spiritually united to Jesus when he was resurrected to a new life). 

Romans 6:5 and 6:8 teach this same truth: “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his” and 6:8: “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him” teach this same truth. 

So, now that we have been spiritually united with Christ, we are exhorted to endure and pursue holiness: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness” (Romans 6:12-13). 

Although Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 3:21), he is still spiritually living in/with us (Jesus promised to always be with us: Matthew 28:20).      

2:12: Paul has already shared about his suffering and endurance for the gospel. Likewise, Christians are to follow Paul’s example (and Jesus’ example) to endure hardships and suffering for the gospel and God’s people (2:9-10). 

What does it mean to reign with Christ? First, reigning with Christ (will probably) occur during the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:4-6). Second, Christians are ultimate conquerors and victors over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-56).  

Third, we will judge the angels (1 Corinthians 6:3) and the apostles will judge the twelve tribes (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). Fourth, we will rule over creation (Revelation 22:5; cf. Psalm 8; Genesis 1:26-31).   

The second part of 2:12—"if we deny him, he also will deny us” has been an issue of interpretation. Was Paul teaching that a Christian can lose his/her salvation? The Bible, especially the New Testament, teaches that a Christ-follower cannot lose his/her salvation for several reasons.

First, all of our sins have been forgiven (Colossians 2:13-14; cf. Hebrews 10:14). Second, God has declared us righteous (justified by God: Romans 3:21-31). The Father’s declaration of our righteousness is a once and for all judicial decision by the Father. Third, God has spiritually adopted us into His family. As children of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:4-7), we have the Spirit and are heirs of God. 

Fourth, nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ (Romans 8:37-39). If nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ, then how can a Christ-follower lose their salvation? Fifth, no one can snatch us out of Jesus’ hand (John 10:28). Sixth, we have been reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:18) and now part of God’s family. 

Seventh, we are God’s temple through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Spirit was given as a down payment of our future salvation (Ephesians 4:30) and places us into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). 

Eighth, God promises to complete the work of salvation that was begun when we first trusted Christ for our salvation (Philippians 1:6). Ninth, Romans 8:29-30 teaches an order of salvation (foreknew, predestined, called, justified, glorified).” How can we lose our salvation if God is directing the overall process?     

In short, Paul was not teaching ("if we deny him, he also will deny us”) that a believer can lose his/her salvation. Paul was referring to a person who rejects the gospel message and dies without coming to faith.

The “denial” of 2:12 is different than Peter’s example of denying Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62; cf. 2 Timothy 2:13). The kind of denial that Paul had in mind in this verse occurs over a person’s lifetime. It refers to someone who has lived their life apart from Christ and the gospel. This person (for their entire life) has denied their need for Christ to save them from their sins.    

Knight explains: “The denial of Christ is that future evaluation which he will make to his Father (Matthew 10:33) in the presence of God’s angels (Luke 12:9) when he returns in glory (cf. Luke 9:26; Mark 8:38; cf. also Matthew 7:23). The finality of his denial of those who have him will be as permanent and decisive as theirs has been of him and will not be as in Peter’s case, where forgiveness was sought and received” (406). 

2:13: We struggle in our faith from time to time. We give in to temptation. Sometimes, we may even spiral into some form of spiritual apathy, experience an intense emotional pain, or addiction. This verse should not be interpreted as a license to sin (cf. Romans 6:1-2: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”). 

This verse was written to encourage us to persevere, to not give up, to endure hardships. However, if we do fall, Christians should be encouraged because Jesus is faithful. He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus has promised to always be with us (Matthew 28:20; cf. Deuteronomy 31:6: God never leaves or forsakes His people). 

Jesus is faithful. Peter experienced Jesus’ faithfulness even when he was faithless (denied Jesus three times). 

Reflection

1. Can you recall a time when you didn’t persevere in life? Why do you think that you were not able to finish strong?

2. How does Paul’s call to “remember Jesus Christ” play a role in our perseverance? (2:9)

3. Transformed disciples persevere in their faith. How did Paul’s life exemplify this truth?

4. Transformed disciples “have died” and “endured” with Jesus? (2:11-12) What’s the significance of these truths? Share examples of what it means to “have died” and “endured” with Jesus. 

5. Read 2:13. How does this verse encourage you? Share.

6. Action: Make a commitment to persevere in your faith through spiritual discipline (prayer, Word, worship, fasting, etc.), in everyday spirituality (study, work, homemaking, activity with children, exercise, etc.), or by not giving in to sin. Pray. Be accountable.