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.
Previously, we examined stanza #1: “If we have died with him, we will also live with him;” Today, we examine stanza #2: “If we endure, we will also reign with him;”
We have previously examined the word endure (2 Tim. 2:10). To endure (ὑπομένομεν; hypomenomen) is a present active indicative plural verb. It means to bear up under difficult circumstances. It refers to a persevering Christ centered faith in the midst of hardship because of the believers’ faith in Christ.
The result of such persevering trust, commitment, dependence and worship is the promise believers will reign with Christ. To reign (συμβασιλεύσομεν; symbasileusomen) is a future active indicative plural verb. It means to rule as a king with Christ. The reality of the believer’s present endurance for Christ and the gospel yields a promise for the future.
“To reign with Christ means to experience in one’s own life the restoration of the royal office. By virtue of creation man held the threefold office of prophet, priest, and king. As prophet his mind was illumined so that he knew God. As priest his heart delighted in God. As king his will was in harmony with God’s will. This threefold office, lost through the fall, is restored by God’s grace. The joyful response of the believer’s will to the will of Christ, that response which is true freedom, is the basic element in this reigning with Christ. Moreover, even during the period before death Christians rule the world by means of their prayers, in the sense that again and again judgments occur in answer to prayer (Rev. 8:3–5). In heaven they are even closer to the throne than are the angels (Rev. 4:4; 5:11). In fact, they sit with Christ on his throne (Rev. 3:21), sharing his royal glory. And when Christ returns, the saints sit and judge with him (Ps. 149:5–9; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3).[1]
“If we endure” – if we patiently endure, persevering under trials – it’s a present active indicative, continual present endurance, patience – “If we keep on enduring, we’ll also reign with Him.” Not all of us will be martyrs. Some of us will just endure the persecution. And if we do, we’ll reign. And if we die, we’ll live with Him immediately. So, think of the reward,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
“So, if you stick your neck out there, and you’re bold, and you preach the truth of Jesus Christ, and you wind up losing your life, you’re going to live with Him. And if you give your life in the service of Christ, and you endure persecution and animosity and bitterness and whatever else, realize that you may be under it now, but you’re going to be over it then. You may be submitting now, but you’re going to be in authority then; you’re going to reign with Christ in His kingdom. What a promise.”
“The idea is that loyalty to Christ, endurance and persecution is rewarded with eternal glory, eternal reigning with Christ. Wonderful promise. He already mentioned that eternal glory in verse 10 at the very end. And we may endure here, but we are going to receive in the life to come. We’re going to reign together with – that word is connected here with sum which is a preposition meaning together with. And so, we’re going to reign together with all the other believers who have likewise endured,” concludes Dr. MacArthur.
Are you persevering in your faith in Christ? Are you bearing up under difficult circumstances at home, at work, or at school? May the Lord be glorified as you do.
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), 259.
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