CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
2 Timothy 2:9. I suffer trouble.—R.V. “hardship.” As an evil-doer.—He is treated as one would be whose whole aim was to do evil—a constant menace to society. Unto bonds.—“Up to the point of bonds.” The indignity of the imprisonment was keenly felt by St. Paul, as well as bodily discomfort. But the word of God is not bound.—Chrysostom explains, “My hands are bound, but not my tongue.” A better contrast is between the messenger and the message. They have bound the messenger, but the message runs on and defies bondage.
2 Timothy 2:10. I endure all things.—This does not denote suffering pure and simple, but the willing, steadfast endurance of it (Huther)—a brave bearing up rather than a passive endurance (Ellicott).
2 Timothy 2:11. It is a faithful saying.—I.e. what follows. “We cannot be certain whether the sentences following are strophes from a Christian hymn or not—probably they are” (Huther). If we be dead.—R.V. “if we died.” Some have thought that St. Paul writes of the actual death of the body in martyrdom. The parallel thought in Romans 6:8 seems to be against this. Others say, “The definite event indicated by the form of the verb takes place in baptism.”
2 Timothy 2:12. If we deny Him.—If by any possibility through fear of suffering we should deny any relationship to Him.
2 Timothy 2:13. If we believe not.—R.V. “if we are faithless.” Meyer contends that the word always means to be unbelieving in the New Testament. Ellicott and Alford agree that it is not simply unfaithfulness but definitely unbelief that is meant here.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— 2 Timothy 2:8-13
The Apostolic Gospel—
I. Had for its leading theme the resurrection of Christ from the dead.—“Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel” (2 Timothy 2:8). The apostles gave special prominence to the resurrection of Christ. It was the most astounding event of the time, and was an unanswerable evidence of the Divine power of Jesus. The Jews could not deny the fact, for they or their friends were witnesses of it: all their plots against Jesus were baffled; their rage was impotent. The gospel to-day preaches not a dead but a living Christ—Christ incarnate, Christ crucified, Christ risen, Christ regnant and triumphant.
II. Entailed suffering in its proclamation.—“Wherein I suffer trouble.… I endure all things for the elect’s sakes” (2 Timothy 2:9-10). The enemies of the gospel could not destroy its facts or answer its arguments: they took their revenge on its propagators, whose only fault was that they spoke the truth. They testified of what they had seen and felt—they could not do otherwise; and for this they suffered. It is hard to suffer for telling the truth; but it would be harder still for the true preacher to tell a lie. Suffering for the gospel’s sake has helped its spread. The most savage persecutors have been convinced and conquered.
III. Revealed the greatness of man’s salvation.—“That they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10). The apostles not only announced the resurrection of Christ as an undeniable fact, but showed how that fact brought hope and salvation to perishing men. The world had never before heard such news; it seemed almost too good to be true. The grandeur of the blessings offered, staggered them. Salvation is not only rescue from present and future misery, but is the affluent bestowment of unutterable and eternal glory; it is an ever-expanding benediction.
IV. Affirmed certain important and suggestive truths (2 Timothy 2:11-13).—The symmetrical form of “the faithful saying,” and the rhythmical balance of the parallel clauses in these verses, make it probable that they formed part of an ancient Church hymn. The apostolic gospel is here compressed into a short, intelligible, and suggestive formula. To die with Christ is to live with Him; to suffer with Him is to reign with Him; to deny Him is to be denied: if we believe Him not, his faithfulness remains intact. The phrases constitute an epitome of the gospel as to its reception and results. If man changes, Christ cannot change—another argument to remain steadfast in the faith.
Lessons.—
1. The leading theme of the gospel is Christ.
2. The gospel cannot be silenced by persecution.
3. The glory of the gospel is its saving effects.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
2 Timothy 2:10. Salvation with Eternal Glory.
I. The necessity of salvation.—
1. Sin is the cause of danger and ruin.
2. Salvation cannot be procured by human arts or inventions.
II. The source of salvation.—“In Christ Jesus.”
1. By designation and promise.
2. By qualification.
3. Salvation is dispensed by Him.
III. Salvation on earth is succeeded by eternal glory in heaven.—
1. Freedom from sin and its consequences.
2. Introduction into heaven.
3. The everlasting vision of Deity.—Helps for the Pulpit.
2 Timothy 2:12-13. Denial of Christ.
I. We may take the part of His enemies, or ignore His supreme claim to allegiance.
II. We may transform Him into a myth, a fairy tale, a subjective principle.
III. Find a substitute in our own life for His grace.
IV. Assume that He is not the ground of our reconciliation, nor the Giver of salvation, nor the sole Head of His Church.—Local Preacher’s Treasury.