This saying is trustworthy:
2 Timothy 2:11-13 NET
If we died with him, we will also live with him.
If we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we deny him, he will also deny us.
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.
In the preceding verses, Paul referred to his hardship and imprisonment for the gospel’s sake. And his endurance despite that hardship. In this four-part trustworthy saying, he encouraged Timothy and his other readers also to endure and be faithful to God’s call in our lives.
“If we died with him, we will also live with him.” Dying with Christ could refer to martyrdom, but Paul is more likely referring to dying to our old life (Rom. 8:13). If we do, then we will also live with him. There is a present sense to living with Christ, but more likely, Paul was looking ahead to our being raised from the dead like Christ was (2 Tim. 2:8).
“If we endure, we will also reign with him.” Like the preceding statement, this one also relates our present state to a future state. It is an encouragement to stick with it when serving Christ becomes hard. If we endure, then we will reign with Christ (Rev. 20:4).
“If we deny him, he will also deny us.” Like the two previous statements, this is in the form of an if/then statement. But unlike the earlier two, this one is negative. What does it mean to deny Christ? Deny means “to deny, disown, renounce, repudiate.” This is much more than falling into some sin. It means turning our back on Christ and renouncing his lordship, turning away from him, and going another way. And when we do that, Jesus will deny us (Matt. 10:33).
Is this something that a believer can do? There is nothing in this context to suggest otherwise. And if this passage is intended to encourage believers to faithfulness, then it would seem to be a possibility, something to avoid.
“If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.” This fourth statement is unlike the earlier three. They were all conditionals. This one is not. He will be faithful regardless of whether I am faithful to him or not. It is his nature to be faithful; he cannot be otherwise.
But what is he faithful to? He is, among other things, faithful to keep his covenant promises to his people. And that would include the three previous statements. If we die with him, we will live with him. If we endure, we will reign with him. But if we deny him, he will deny us.
You may or may not be facing active persecution for your faith in Christ. But we all face the constant temptation to conform to the world and its ways. However, if we faithfully endure, die to our own desires, and live for Christ, the reward will be great.
