Articles
A Faithful Saying
This is a faithful saying, for if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him, if we endure, we shall also reign with him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself”
(2 Timothy 2:11-13). Paul relates four actions on the part of the Christian and their consequent results in these verses. Let’s examine them.
“For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him”
There are three views on the meaning of this passage. (1) It refers to those who were martyred for Jesus. (2) It refers to death to sin or of the old man (Rom. 6:2-6). (3) In harmony with Christ’s example we have given ourselves up once for all to a life that involves exposure to pain, torture, reproach and finally to the martyr’s death. We have then died to worldly comfort, ease, advantage and honor (a synopsis of Hendriksen’s comments). Whichever position one takes on this phrase, we are certainly reminded of Jesus’ sacrifice in order that we might live in Him. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…” (Gal. 2:20a). The reward for this “death” is life eternal with our Lord.
“If we endure, we shall also reign with Him”
To endure is to persevere. It is the uncomplaining steadfastness, until death, under every trial, affliction and hardship we may be called upon to undergo in serving Christ. Those who endure will reign with Him. Reign does not mean to exercise authority; it is association or fellowship with Christ in His victory and glory."Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10c).
“If we deny Him, He will also deny us”
We can deny Jesus by word or deed. “For whoever is ashamed of My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels” (Lk. 9:26). Rejection of any of the Lord’s commandments, even though we profess to be His disciple, will cause Him to say, “…I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Mt. 7:23). This simply means Jesus will refuse to acknowledge these as His own.
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself”
Faithless does not always mean devoid of faith but may mean insufficient faith. When used in this way it is synonymous with “unfaithful,” as they come from the same word. Being “faithless” is contrasted with “faithful.” To be “faithless” is to be disloyal to Christ. It describes a failure to worship and live according to the revelation of the gospel. Faithfulness is a part of the nature of deity and to save such would not manifest justice. It would deny Jesus’ deity in that He would be acting contrary to principles which are the essence of deity.
The lesson is: faithful enduring service unto death has a great reward, but a denial has a great punishment. Let each of us examine ourselves.
