11 “The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:11–13 (ESV)
In 2 Timothy 2:8-13, the Apostle Paul wrote to his young protégé Timothy about the challenges of ministry. Ministry is difficult. Serving the Lord can be tough. What sustains the believer in Christ and the disciple of the Lord is the preeminence of Christ (2:8-9a) and the power of the Word of God (2:9b). Both of these biblical truths enable the servant of the Lord to endure.
Paul called Timothy to endure like a teacher, a soldier, and athlete, and a farmer (vs. 1-7). A teacher does not remain in the study or office but rather teaches in the classroom and from the pulpit. A soldier does not remain in the barracks but engages the enemy on the battlefield. An athlete does not compete sitting on the bleachers but rather on the field, track, diamond or court. A farmer does not remain in the farmhouse but spends his working hours in the field.
What does it mean to endure? What is endurance? Endurance is the capacity to withstand hardship or adversity, especially with faith and patience. Strength is needed to endure, whether the work demands the physical strength of the body or the spiritual strength of the soul.
It was at this moment in his letter to Timothy, Paul quoted what may have been part of an early Christian hymn. As is the truth today, the hymns of the church not only inspire but encourage the saints to endure for the gospel of Christ.
Paul introduced the hymn with the statement “The saying is trustworthy.” The word saying (λόγος; logos) means statement, message and word. What Paul is saying is trustworthy (πιστὸς; pistos) referring to its dependability faithfulness and honor. The trustworthy sayings Paul quoted comprise four stanzas. The personal pronouns him, himself and he all refer to Jesus Christ (vs. 10).
An examination of each stanza is appropriate. All four stanzas are conditional clauses. Each describe an attitude and a consequential action by individuals following, or rejecting, Jesus Christ. The first two stanzas display loyalty to Christ. The last two lines illustrate disloyalty to Christ.
“If we have died with him, we will also live with him;” The phrase we have died with (συναπεθάνομεν; synapethanomen) is an aorist active indicative plural verb. It means at a particular point in time, believers in Christ may experience physical death because of their loyalty to Christ. If so, the promise is we will also live with him. The phrase we will also live with (καὶ συζήσομεν; kai syzesomen) means believers will live eternally with Christ in glory. Included in this interpretation is the sense believers in Christ have already died to the world’s values, desires and lifestyles. Therefore, in this sense followers of Christ are already living with Him in a glorious state of commitment and contentment. This is a foretaste of glory, if you please.
In favor of this interpretation are the following considerations:
(1) This also is not in conflict with the context which, as was noted, describes deprivation to which believers are exposed.
(2) It is in complete harmony with the line which immediately follows, for the person who has given up earthly ambition and has resigned himself for Christ’s sake to reproach, suffering, and if need be to violent death, is the very man who “endures,” that is, who “remains steadfast to the end.”
(3) It is in agreement with Paul’s thought as expressed elsewhere. See especially 2 Cor. 4:10: “always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” With this compare 1 Cor. 15:31, “I die daily” (explained by verse 30: “we stand in jeopardy every hour”), explains Dr. William Hendriksen.[1]
Dr. Hendriksen concludes, “If this be the correct interpretation—and I believe that it has much in its favor—, the thought which Paul, in quoting from the hymn, is conveying, is the one with which we ourselves are familiar. It has been expressed poetically in the beautiful lines:”
(1) “Hence with earthly treasure!
Thou art all my pleasure,
Jesus, all my choice.
Hence, thou empty glory!
Naught to me thy story,
Told with tempting voice.
Pain or loss or shame or cross
Shall not from my Savior move me,
(2) Since he deigns to love me.
Hence, all fear and sadness!
For the Lord of gladness,
Jesus enters in.
Those who love the Father,
Though the storms may gather,
Still have peace within.
Yea, whate’er I here must bear,
Thou art still my purest pleasure,
Jesus, priceless treasure.” — Johann Frenck, 1653; translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1863[2]
Are you willing to endure suffering for the priceless treasure which is Jesus Christ? May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have an enduring day in the Lord.
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), 257.
[2] Ibid., 257-258.
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