8 “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!” (2 Timothy 2:8–9 (ESV)
“I always have trouble remembering three things: faces, names, and – I can’t remember what the third thing is.” — Fred Allen
“When we tell the story of our own conversion, I would have it done with great sorrow, remembering what we used to be, and with great joy and gratitude, remembering how little we deserve these things.” — Charles Spurgeon
“We must remember that God is always present, even in our darkest moments.” — Elisabeth Elliot
In his encouragement to Timothy to persevere in the ministry (2 Timothy 2:3-7), the Apostle Paul wanted his young protégé to remember the single most important truth of the gospel; the risen Christ. Jesus is the only one “who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10).
“In view of raging persecution, comfort was certainly needed. Faithful adherence to duty meant hardship (verses 3–6). Let Timothy not lose courage. Let him not even fear death. Let him rest his confidence on One who “utterly defeated” this terrible enemy (2 Tim. 1:10).”[1]
Remember Jesus Christ. To remember (Μνημόνευε; Mnemoneue) is a present active imperative verb. It means to presently, actively and obediently recall and think about something again. In this case, Paul commanded Timothy to remember Jesus Christ; the Savior and Anointed Lord.
It is interesting to observe thus far in this epistle, this is the first time Paul referred to the Lord as Jesus Christ and not Christ Jesus (1:1, 2, 9, 10, 13; 2:1, 3). Why?
“Note here “Jesus Christ,” instead of “Christ Jesus” as elsewhere in 2 Timothy. If this be more than a stylistic variation, the possible reason for it may well have been this, that the apostle wished to turn Timothy’s attention first of all to the historical, curse-laden Jesus (Gal. 3:13; 4:4, 5), in order that next he may remind him of the fact that this Jesus “was made” (was openly revealed as) Christ as a reward for his obedience unto death, yea the death of the cross (Acts 2:36; Phil. 2:5–11). Let Timothy then rivet his attention upon the resurrection; nay rather, let him keep his thought concentrated on the resurrected Lord himself. “[2]
Paul described Jesus Christ as risen from the dead. The word risen (ἐγηγερμένον; egegermenon) is a perfect passive singular participle. The perfect tense describes a past completed action with continuing results. Risen means to make alive again or to raise to life. “The perfect marks the permanent condition—raised and still living.”[3]
“These words form rather the conclusion of the preceding paragraph than the beginning of a new one. St. Paul in pressing home his lesson, passes from the figure of speech to the concrete example of suffering followed by glory. And as he has, immediately before, been laying stress on the certainty of reward, he gives a prominent place ‘the having been raised from the dead.’ Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, ‘Himself Man’ (I Tim. 2:5), is the ideal soldier, athlete, and field-laborer; yet One who can be an example to us. It is not the resurrection as a doctrinal fact (a.v.) that St. Paul has in mind, but the resurrection as a personal experience of Jesus Christ, the reward He received, His being ‘crowned with glory and honor, because of the suffering of death’ (Heb. 2:9).”[4]
Jesus Christ is also the offspring of David. Offspring (σπέρματος; spermatos) means Jesus is solely and humanly the descendant of King David. Jesus Christ is “of the seed of David” (2 Sam. 7:12, 13; Ps. 89:28; 132:17; Acts 2:30; Rom. 1:3; Rev. 5:5; and cf. Matt. 1:20; Luke 1:27, 32, 33; 2:4, 5; John 7:42). He is “the Son of David” (Matt. 1:1; 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30, 31; 21:9, 15; 22:42–45; Mark 10:47, 48; 12:35; Luke 18:38, 39; 20:41).
“It is as the rightful, spiritual heir of David, David’s glorious Antitype, that he (Jesus Christ) sits enthroned at the Father’s right hand.”[5]
Paul preached the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:21-26; I Cor. 1:18-25; 15:1-2; Phil. 3:1-9). Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16-17). Paul commanded believers Jesus Christ; the central figure of the gospel.
- “Man of Sorrows!” what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior! - Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior! - Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior! - Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior! - When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Remember! May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 250.
[2] Ibid., 250.
[3] Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 4 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 298.
[4] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 8 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 131.
[5] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 250.
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