2 Timothy 2:11-13

2 Timothy 2:11-13 A. This is one of four “faithful sayings” of Paul. The others are found in 1TI 1:15; 4:8-9; TIT 3:8. 1. faithful: Full of or characterized by faith, believing. 5. Of persons and their actions: That may be believed or relied upon; trustworthy, veracious. Also of things: Reliable. 6. True to the fact or original, accurate.” 2. This saying is loaded with faith, reliability, accuracy. B. These verses comprise the faithful saying that Paul introduces. 1. This saying sums up the scheme of salvation including both unconditional and conditional aspects. a. This accords with the apostle’s words of v. 10. b. There is a sure salvation of eternal glory for God’s elect who are so by His choice, not theirs (MAR 13:20 c/w 1TH 1:4). This is deliverance from the penalty and presence of sin wrought for the called of God in Christ. ROM 8:28-30. c. There is also a salvation which the elect may obtain. Therefore, gospel laborers like Paul should endure. This is deliverance from the practical grip of Satan’s lies and from God’s chastening of His children. ACT 26:18; LUK 12:47-48. 2. This faithful saying is divided into four circumstances with each circumstance having a certain consequence. Hence, “It is a faithful saying.” C. “If we be dead with him (Christ), we shall also live with him.” 1. These words declare the eternal salvation of everyone represented in the death of Christ. a. Christ took on the nature of the elect and bore their sins in His body. HEB 2:13-17; 1PE 2:24. b. He died under the curse of the law for the elect representatively. GAL 3:13. c. The elect are thus reckoned by God as dead with Christ. GAL 2:19-20; 2CO 5:14. d. The crucifixion of the elect with Christ is stated just as factually as His own crucifixion. LUK 23:33. e. The elect have therefore in Christ already suffered the wages of sin. ROM 6:23. 2. Those who are dead with Christ SHALL also live with Him. a. There is no equivocation, condition or doubt about it. They shall live with Him or God would not be faithful and this saying would be faithless. b. They are quickened together with Christ. EPH 2:4-6; COL 2:13. c. They, therefore, shall live forever. JOH 11:26. d. Their bodies also shall be made alive forever at Christ’s return. ROM 8:10-11; 1CO 15:51-54. 3. The elect shall live WITH CHRIST! 1. Apart from Christ, there is no life. 1JO 5:11-12; 1TI 6:16. 2. The elect shall live forever with Christ, in His presence. JOH 14:2-3. 3. How blessed shall be the constant presence of Christ instead of the now constant presence of sin! ROM 7:21. 4. Those who live unto Him give proof that they died with Him and are alive. 2CO 5:14-15. D. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.” 1. “Suffer” is in the present tense. This is addressing the believer’s present experience. 2. This refers to suffering for righteousness’ sake, not for the sake of sin or poor judgment. 1PE 3:17; 4:15-16. 3. Thus, this passage treats of the believer’s obedience for which he SHALL suffer. That’s another sure thing. 2TI 3:12. 4. Obedient believers who suffer are assured of future glory: “we shall reign with him.” ROM 8:17; 2CO 4:17. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 1-26-23 Page 1 of 2  5. Those who disobey to avoid suffering for obedience remove themselves from the comfort of this promise. E. “If we deny him, he will also deny us.” c/w MAT 10:32-33. 1. There is a denying of Him that the wicked do and they shall certainly be denied by the Lord. 1JO 2:22-23; MAT 7:21-23. 2. A child of God may also deny the Lord as in the case of Peter. LUK 22:54-62. a. Such will not be denied eternal salvation. ROM 8:29-39. b. He will, however, be denied fellowship with God. 1JO 1:6-7. c. He will be denied answers to his petitions. 1JO 3:22 c/w ISA 59:2. d. In Peter’s case, denying that he was one “of them” (Jesus’ disciples) was denying the Lord Himself. Ponder this soberly. 3. They who confess Christ and identify with His disciples remove themselves from the threat of this verse. F. “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 1. Scripture gives examples of children of God who do not believe. MAR 4:40; 16:14; ROM 11:26-31; HEB 3:17-19. 2. However, God’s faithfulness remains unmoved by their unbelief. ROM 3:3; PSA 89:29-34. 3. Were God to revoke His promise of eternal life to His elect because of their unbelief, He would deny Himself. TIT 1:2; HEB 6:17-19. 4. Bless God that our heavenly inheritance is not by the power of ourselves through faith but but by the power of God through faith: His faith. 1PE 1:4-5. a. There are certain promises of God we are to believe which are not conditioned upon our faith but rather His faithfulness. For example, Christ has promised He will return with His saints that sleep in Him and our belief or unbelief of that promise does not determine it. His own faithfulness determines it. 1TH 4:14. b. “...it may be understood of true believers, whose faith sometimes is very low, as to its exercise on Christ, and with reference to their future glory and happiness; but Christ is faithful to all his covenant engagements for them, to bring them to glory, and to every word of promise concerning their happiness, and to every branch of the faithful saying above mentioned; and he is ever the same in his love to them, and in the efficacy of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; and his salvation is an everlasting and unchangeable one; nor do the saints' interest in it, and security by it, depend upon their acts of believing, or their frames, but upon the firmness and unchangeableness of Christ, the object of faith.” (John Gill on 2TI 2:13, boldface mine) 5. Presume not on His faith. All positive promises of life are to obedient believers. Unbelief and disobedience can make no claim on them. 2TI 2:19. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 1-26-23 Page 2 of 2