8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10 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. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:8-13 KJV)
Life with Jesus
To encourage Timothy in suffering, Paul reminds him of the resurrection of Christ: “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel” (2 Timothy 2:8). This is the great proof of Christ’s divine mission and confirms the truth of the Christian faith. The thought of Christ’s resurrection should strengthen us to remain faithful and endure suffering for His sake. Let suffering believers remember this. We are to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who, “for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 12:2). The incarnation and resurrection of Christ, rightly believed and reflected upon, will support every Christian in times of trial.
Paul further encourages Timothy by setting himself as an example: “For which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained” (2 Timothy 2:9). Paul was a man who did good and yet suffered as an evildoer, showing that the best of people may face the worst treatment in this world. But his comfort was that God’s word could not be bound. Persecution may silence preachers, but it cannot restrain the power of God’s Word in people’s hearts and consciences. This should encourage Timothy not to fear suffering or imprisonment for the gospel, for though God’s servants may be chained, the gospel itself will continue to advance.
Paul suffered as one accused of wrongdoing, just as the Jews said of Jesus to Pilate, “If he were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered him up to you” (John 18:30). His real offense was preaching the gospel, and for that he suffered imprisonment and later death, “resisting unto blood, striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4).
Paul explains why he endured suffering so cheerfully: “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10). Faithful ministers are encouraged in their hardest labors and sufferings by knowing that God will bring good to His people through them. Next to our own salvation, we should be willing to suffer anything to promote the salvation of others. God’s elect are appointed to obtain salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9), and this salvation is found only in Christ Jesus, who is both its source and giver. It is salvation accompanied by eternal glory, for there is no salvation in Christ apart from it.
Paul’s sufferings served to confirm and encourage believers. He also reminds Timothy of the hope of eternal life. “If we died with Him, we shall also live with Him” (2 Timothy 2:11). If we are dead to this world’s pleasures, riches, and honors, we shall live with Christ in a better world. Those who suffer for Christ here will reign with Him in heaven: “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12). As those who stood by David in his humiliation were exalted with him, so those who share in Christ’s sufferings will share in His glory.
However, Paul warns, “If we deny Him, He also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:12). If we deny Christ before men, He will deny us before His Father (Matthew 10:33). Nothing could be more tragic than to be disowned by Christ at the last day. This outcome is certain whether people believe it or not: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). Christ is faithful to His promises and to His warnings—neither will fail. If we are faithful to Him, He will surely be faithful to us. If we are unfaithful, He will remain true to His word, for “He cannot deny Himself.”
Our dying with Christ precedes and prepares the way for living with Him. Our suffering for Him is the path to reigning with Him: “You who have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones” (Matthew 19:28). This is a faithful saying, worthy to be believed: if we deny Him out of fear, shame, or desire for worldly gain, He will deny and disown us. But He will never deny Himself—He will always be faithful to His word, in both promise and judgment.