5. Encouragement to endure suffering for Christ (2 Timothy 2:8-13) (2023)

Think of Jesus Christ who rose from the dead, a descendant of David; this is my gospel, for which as a criminal I am suffering even in prison, but God's message is not in prison! Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of God's chosen ones, so that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and in his eternal glory. This saying is believable: if we die with it, we will also live with it. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. When we are unfaithful to him, he remains faithful because he cannot deny himself.

2 Timothy 2:8-13 (NET)

How can we faithfully endure suffering?

Related to 2 Timothy, Christians are being persecuted throughout the Roman Empire. Paul himself is in prison awaiting his death sentence. Many throughout Asia abandoned Paul (2 Tim 1:15). In this epistle, Paul encourages Timothy to faithfully endure suffering: In 2 Timothy 1:8, Paul exhorts Timothy to accept his share of "suffering for the gospel." In 2 Timothy 2:3 he tells Timothy to endure sufferings with him as a “good soldier” of Jesus Christ, and in 2 Timothy 2:10 and 12 Paul describes how he endures everything for the sake of the elect and also adds: “if endure, we will also reign with him.” Timothy needed constant encouragement to endure the suffering, and so do we.

Today's world is not much different from Timothy's; If anything, it will only get worse. More Christians have died for the faith in the last century than in all previous years combined. An estimated 400 believers die for their faith every day. We should listen carefully to Paul's encouragement to Timothy. How can we faithfully endure suffering? In 2 Timothy 2:8-13, Paul gives six words of encouragement. These stimuli are useful not only for faithfully enduring suffering for Christ, but also for suffering of any kind.

grande To ask:What encouragement does Paul give Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:8-13 to help him endure suffering, and how can we use it to encourage ourselves and others when we face trials?

To endure suffering, we must think of Jesus

Think of Jesus Christ who rose from the dead, a descendant of David; this is my gospel

2 Timothy 2:8

Paul tells Timothy to remember Jesus to help him resist. In fact, "remember" is an imperative1- an order - that shows us how important it is. Although Timothy could never literally forget Christ, he was able to live in such a way that Christ did not influence his daily decisions. And that also applies to us. Christ must be at the forefront of our thoughts if we are to faithfully persevere. In Hebrews 12:2-3, the author of Hebrews also encourages suffering Christians. He says,

keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Initiator and Finisher of our faith. To his due joy he endured the cross, despite its shame, and took his place at the right hand of God's throne. Think of the one who had to endure such opposition from sinners against themselves, lest you be weary in your soul and give up.

A mind centered on Christ and not on our trials or difficulties is essential for perseverance. As Peter walked on the water, he began to sink as he shifted his focus from Christ to the storm. As long as she focused on her Savior, she could walk by faith. We must do the same.

surveillance To ask:What aspects of Jesus does Paul remind Timothy of?

1. We must remember that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

Interpretation To ask:Why is it so important to remember the resurrection?

There are many reasons why it is important to constantly remember the resurrection of Christ:

• The resurrection reminds us that Jesus Christ is God.

The resurrection was final proof that Christ was not just a good man or a prophet. He was the son of God. He was the first to definitely rise from the dead. Lazarus and others were resurrected only to die again, but Jesus is still alive. In fact, the verb "risen" is in the perfect tense, which means that Christ is alive today.2Romans 1:3-4 says, "Concerning his Son, who was descended from David in the flesh, who was constituted by the resurrection from the dead the Son of God with power according to the Holy Spirit, Christ our Lord." To be proclaimed the son of God at the resurrection means that his resurrection proved his deity. Christ is God!

• The resurrection reminds us that we will rise from the dead.

Scripture teaches that Christ was the firstfruits of the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 says:

But now Christ is risen from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as death was by a man, so was the resurrection of the dead by a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all are made alive.

Farmers used the first fruits to discern the future harvest: Was the harvest good or bad? Likewise, Christ's resurrection is evidence of our future resurrection. It was extremely important for Paul to remember this as he faced his own death. And Timothy was concerned whether he would continue to be faithful even to death. He had to remember Christ's resurrection and his own to come.

2. We must remember that Jesus Christ is a descendant of David.

Interpretation To ask:Why is it so important to remember that Christ descended from David?

• Christ's descent from David reminds us that Christ is a man.

While the resurrection confirms Christ's deity, his descent from David confirms his humanity. Christ had to be a man to die for us, but he had to be God to pay for the sins of the whole world. His humanity also means that Christ understands us: he knows what it means to hunger, thirst and sleep. He knows what it means to be hated by others, to lie, to betray friends, to try and finally kill for the sake of his work. Timothy had to remember this because he was walking the same path as Christ. Christ walked him first, and Christ would walk beside him to give him strength to faithfully endure. Hebrews 4:15-16 says

For we do not have a high priest who does not sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

• Christ's descent from David reminds us that Christ is the promised King.

The first prophecy about Christ was in Genesis 3:15, where God promised Eve a male seed that would defeat Satan and reverse the effects of the fall. In Genesis 22:18, God promised Abraham a seed that would be a blessing to all nations. To Judah, son of Jacob and great-grandson of Abraham, God promised that from his lineage would come a king to whom all nations would submit, a ruler of the world (Genesis 49:10). Therefore, this prophecy was reduced to David's lineage, as God promised that David's descendants would have an eternal kingdom (1 Chronicles 17:11-14). In Luke 1:31-33, the angel said the following to Mary:

Listen: you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”

Christ is the reigning King and at the same time the future King. When he returns, he will punish the rebels and reward the loyal. We must remember our king and his coming kingdom if we are to endure suffering.

When we focus our ministry primarily on people, what people say, our trials, or what appears to be a lack of fruit, we get discouraged and give up. Our focus must be on our king; It is this mindset that allows us to persevere.

The memory of Christ is important not only for us, but also for how we serve others, as Paul's admonition to Timothy shows. Some might think that asking people to remember Christ in the midst of their trials might be unsympathetic or superficial, but it's not. It's the most important thing we can do. In our relationship with Christ is everything necessary for godly living (2 Peter 1:3). If we remain in him, we will bear much fruit (John 15:5).

Do you remember Christ in your trials? Do you encourage other people to do this?

subscription To ask:Why are we so inclined to forget Christ in the sense that his presence does not affect our daily decisions, especially during trials? How can we faithfully remind him to bear suffering with integrity? And how can we help others remember this without appearing insensitive and unloving?

To endure suffering, we must remember that the Word of God is unstoppable.

this is my gospel, for which as a criminal I am suffering even in prison, but God's message is not in prison!

2 Timothy 2:8b-9

Paul suffered in prison - locked up like a criminal; however, the Word he taught could not be chained. He moved triumphantly through the world, no doubt affecting even those imprisoned by him. We saw this dramatically during his first arrest in Rome. In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul says:

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has certainly evolved for the advancement of the gospel: the entire Imperial Guard and everyone else knows that I am in prison for the sake of Christ, and most brothers and sisters who trust in the Lord because of my imprisonment now dare more than ever to speak the Word fearlessly.

In Paul's first imprisonment, the jailers heard the gospel, and because of his suffering, other Saints were encouraged to boldly proclaim the word of God. In fact, Paul spoke louder in prison while writing several epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. There is no doubt that the gospel progressed in Paul's final imprisonment.

Likewise, John Bunyan, who wrote Pilgrim's Progress, spoke louder in his suffering. John MacArthur shares:

John Bunyan's sermon was so popular and influential, and so unacceptable to Church of England leaders in the 17th century, that he was imprisoned to silence it. He refused to remain silent and began preaching in the prison yard. Not only did he have a large audience of prisoners, but hundreds of citizens from Bedford and the surrounding area came to the prison each day and stood outside to hear him explain the Scriptures. He was verbally silenced by being taken to a deep prison and forbidden even to preach. But in that silence he spoke louder and to more people than he could have imagined. During that time, he wrote Pilgrim's Progress, the great Christian classic that brought the gospel to millions of people around the world. For several centuries, it was the most read and translated book in the world after the Bible. Bunyan's opponents were able to stop his preaching for several years, but they were unable to stop his ministry. Instead, they offered the chance to expand it from a prison in the small town of Bedford to the ends of the earth.3

This has been a common experience throughout church history. Wherever the Church has been persecuted, the Word of God has emerged triumphant. The early church father, Tertullian, said, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." In fact, Paul taught that the Christian who courageously suffers for Christ is a necessary witness to unbelievers. Consider what it says in Philippians 1:27b-28:

...fighting side by side for the faith of the gospel, and for not being intimidated in any way by his opponents. This is a sign of your destruction, but your salvation - a sign that it is from God.

Therefore, Paul could bear it with confidence, for even his suffering was a witness to the truth of the gospel. His gospel was released.

David Guzik added:

The Bible has been attacked more than any other book in history. It has been burned, banned, mocked, distorted and ignored, but the Word of God stands forever... The Word of God is not limited. No government, no religious authority, no skeptic, no scientist, no philosopher or book burner has ever been able to stop the work of God's Word.4

Isaiah 55:11 says that the Word of God never returns void; always fulfills God's purpose. First Peter 1:25 says, "The word of the Lord endures forever." It doesn't matter if men silence us by trying to silence us, the word of God will come out. Timothy had to be encouraged by this, and so did we. We have an unstoppable message.

subscription To ask:How does being unstoppable by God's Word, the Bible, encourage you to endure trials, especially suffering for Christ?

To endure suffering, we must remember the lost

Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of God's chosen ones, so that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and in his eternal glory.

2 Timothy 2:10

Interpretation To ask:What's the choice?

Paul says he bears everything for the "elect", sometimes translated as "elect", referring to the lost whom God chose for salvation before the foundation of the earth. Ephesians 1:4 says, "For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love." Election is a controversial doctrine; However, it should be noted that everyone believes in choice. It is taught throughout Scripture (cf. Rom 8, 29-30, 9, 10-13, 1 Peter 1, 1-2). The question is, "Why did God choose?" Did he choose God because he knew who would choose him? Or did you just vote for your sovereign choice?

Scripture teaches that man cannot choose God without God's grace. Romans 8:7-8 says, “For the conception of the flesh is hostile to God, since it does not and cannot be subject to the law of God. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” When man sinned in the garden, he corrupted him so much that he always turned away from God. Adam's first reaction after the fall was to hide from the voice of the Lord. That's why God chose, because otherwise no one would come to him. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; it is not by works that no one boasts ".

The faith we have in salvation is a work of grace. Since our corrupt will cannot choose God, God has given us the will to seek Him and turn to Him. Those whom God had chosen beforehand, He gave faith to receive. This is a big secret; a just God punishes sinners, but a loving and merciful God saves a remnant.

In these words, Paul is saying that election motivated him to suffer for the elect so that they might hear the gospel. This is important to remember because many feel that the doctrine of election gets in the way of preaching the gospel. They argue, “If God chose people to be saved, then we don't need to evangelize. God will finally save them." So they ask, "Why preach the gospel?" However, Paul had a different reasoning. The doctrine of election motivated him as much to suffer as to preach. Think again: "For you to hold on All Stuff Pro To die To benefit Von That the chosen Von Bueno, a Uds What else lata take it salvation no cristo Jesus y es Eternal fama(v. 10).

The God who chose the result, election to salvation, also chose the means, the preaching of the gospel. The elect are saved when believers preach the gospel unabashedly, even in the midst of suffering. Election, properly understood, is a tremendous motivator for gospel preaching. We can preach knowing that some will respond to the message. We see this throughout the book of Acts. Acts 13:48 says, "When the Gentiles heard this, they began to rejoice and praise the word of the Lord, and all those who were destined for eternal life believed."

To endure suffering, we must remember that the elect must hear the gospel to be saved. Romans 10:14 says, “What are you going to call someone you don't believe in? " For people to hear the gospel and be saved, there must be a messenger. Who the elect are is a mystery that we must leave to God. We are called simply to preach his word, even if it means suffering for it.

Are you willing to suffer so others can hear the gospel, even if it means scorn, rejection, or imprisonment?

subscription To ask:How do you vote? Did God choose based solely on his sovereign decision or based on his knowledge of who would choose him? How would you support their point of view?

To endure suffering, we must remember to worship

This saying is believable: if we die with it, we will also live with it. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

2 Timothy 2:11-12a

As Paul ponders reasons for persevering, in verses 11-14 he recites what many believe is a fragment of an ancient hymn.5As with Paul's brief imprisonment in Philippi, this may have been a song he was singing behind bars (Acts 16:25).

Likewise, worship is an important discipline we need to endure suffering. If we don't worship and thank God, we will succumb to pity, doubt, and depression, all of which will make us want to give up rather than persevere.

subscription To ask:How can we worship God in the midst of our trials?

1. We must remember God's purpose in our trials.

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose." trials of various kinds (James 1:2). We need to remember that these trials build in us perseverance, character and hope in God (Romans 5:3). If we don't remember the purpose of our trials, it will be impossible to worship God in them.

2. We must remember that we are commanded to worship.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, constantly praying thank you in everything, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” God commands us to have joy and thanksgiving in all situations. Indeed, it is a sin to complain and complain. Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do everything without murmuring or arguing, that you may be children of God without blemish and pure, without blemish, even though you live in a corrupt and perverse society where you shine like lights in the world”. God punished the Israelites when they complained in the wilderness. 1 Corinthians 10:10 says, "And do not complain, as some of them did and were killed by the destroying angel."

If God uses all situations for our good, then, in recognition of that, we should trust and praise Him. Do you sing praises in your trials or do you mourn? Paul praised God even during his imprisonment and before his death.

subscription To ask:Describe a time when you praised God in the midst of a trial instead of complaining. What were the results? What other tips are helpful for praising God in the midst of a trial?

To endure suffering, we must remember God's reward

This saying is believable: if we die with it, we will also live with it. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

2 Timothy 2:11-12a

As mentioned above, Paul is believed to be reciting a fragment of an ancient hymn in verses 11-14. The hymn has four stanzas with two parallel couplets.6The content of this song contains rich theological insights that are important to understand in order to faithfully endure suffering.

Interpretation To ask:What does the first verse of 2 Timothy 2:11-12a mean, and how should it encourage Timothy to suffer well?

We first consider what it means to die “with him” (v. 11), as it reveals the meaning of the rest of the verse. There are two possible views:

1. To die with Christ is to die spiritually.

Romans 6:5-8 says:

For if we were made with him like his death, we will certainly be like his resurrection. We know that our old man was crucified with him, so that the body of sin would no longer have dominion over us, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. (For he who died is freed from sin.) Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

In salvation, Christ's death is credited to our account. Our sinful nature died with him on the cross. It's not that we no longer have a sinful nature, but that Christ has broken the power of sin in our lives. Therefore, we are no longer slaves to sin, we must obey its desires. We are now slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:19). What Christ did on the cross we must daily apply by dying to our sinful desires and living for God. Those who died spiritually with Christ on the cross, testing Him daily by struggling with sin, “shall also live with Him forever” (verse 11).

If this is the correct interpretation, Paul is reminding Timothy to endure suffering because his sinful nature died on the cross. The nature that wants to run and is afraid to suffer for Christ no longer has power over him; therefore he must be in the midst of suffering, and so must we. We must rise because our sinful nature died with Christ on the cross, and we are now living a new life, a life of the Spirit. God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power, love and self-control (2 Tim 1:7).

2. Dying with Christ probably means being martyred.

The surrounding context of suffering for Christ points to martyrdom as the best interpretation. Dying for Christ is proof that we will live with Christ forever (verse 11). Matthew 5:10 says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Suffering for Christ is the golden seal of our salvation. It is proof that we are truly converted and that the kingdom of heaven is ours.

This also fits better with the parallel in the second verse: "If we suffer with him, we will also reign with him" (verse 12a). Those who suffer for Christ are finally rewarded not only with heaven, but with heavenly rewards and various levels of government. Many verses describe this reward and the believer's dominion with Christ in his kingdom:

Matthew 5:11-12 says:

“Blessed are you when people scold and persecute you because of me and falsely say all kinds of nasty things about you. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets before you.

James 1:12 also describes the reward of the suffering believer. It says, "Blessed are those who endure trials, for if they prove true, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

In the parable of Minas, Christ grants dominion over the cities as a reward for faithfulness. Luke 19:17-19 says:

And the king said to him, "Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a least, you will have authority over ten cities." Then the second came and said, "Sir, your mina has yielded five minas." Then the king said to him: 'And you will be more than five cities.'

To endure suffering, we must remember Christ's reward. Those who suffer with him as they die to sin and face persecution for righteousness will live and reign with Christ. God will reward them in the coming kingdom. This is a great encouragement to help believers endure suffering.

subscription To ask:Why does God give eternal rewards? How does the prospect of eternal rewards affect you?

To endure suffering, we must remember God's judgment

If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. When we are unfaithful to him, he remains faithful because he cannot deny himself.

2 Timothy 2:12b-13

Finally, the last couplet describes God's judgment on unbelievers as motivation for enduring suffering. “Deny” (verse 12b) does not refer to a temporary denial, as in the case of Peter just before Christ went to the cross. It refers to the final denial seen in unbelievers or apostates like Judas. They deny it with their words and actions. The third verse is similar to what Christ said in Matthew 10:32-33: “Whoever acknowledges me before men, him I will confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.”

Likewise, Christ said in Mark 8:38, "For if anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, even the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels ." To deny Christ is to be ashamed of him and his words in this perverse generation. When we do, he will declare, "Then I will say to them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you transgressors of the law!'" as seen in Matthew 7:23.

Interpretation To ask:What does Paul mean by "e we they are unfaithful, es remains faithful to, from to es I can't deny one same(v. 13)?

Some have said this means that God will be faithful to us even if we deny him in times of weakness. In that case, where verse 12 refers to permanent denial (as in the case of an unbeliever or apostate), verse 13 would refer to temporary denial as seen in Peter. If so, it would encourage Timothy, who was timid and fearful of persecution; even if he failed, God would remain faithful to him.

However, this interpretation is unlikely. It does not preserve the parallelism of the couplet: the first two stanzas are positive and the last two are negative. Most likely, this refers to God being faithful in judging unbelievers, since he cannot deny his attributes of being righteous, holy, and wrathful.

Dinsdale Young explains: “God cannot contradict himself. It would be contrary to his character to treat believers and unbelievers alike. He is always faithful to justice, whatever we are”... Van Oosterzee says: “He is as faithful in his threats as in his promises”.7

This is certainly a tremendous motivation to endure suffering. Christ calls everyone to take up their cross to become his disciples (Luke 14:26-27). Therefore, we must endure suffering so that Christ does not deny us and God judges us.

subscription To ask:Which interpretation of verse 13 are you learning the most about and why? What motivates you more, God's mercy to unbelievers or his judgment, and why? Have you used God's discipline/judgment to motivate others to righteousness? Why or why not?

Conclusion

Finally, consider this challenging story by David Guzik about a persecuted Christian in ancient Rome:

When a Christian in the days of the old Roman Empire was ordered to donate money for the building of a heathen temple, he refused; and although he was old, they practically stripped him and cut him with knives and spears. They began to feel sorry for him, so they said, "Give me a dollar to build the temple." But he still didn't want to. "Just burn a grain of incense to this heathen god," they begged, but he refused. Then they smeared honey on him, and while his wounds were still bleeding, bees and wasps laid them on him until he was stung to death. He could die; but he could not deny his Lord. The Lord can give you the same power to live for Him that this man died for Him.8

How can we faithfully endure suffering for Christ?

1. To endure suffering, we must think of Jesus
2. To endure suffering, we must remember that the Word of God is unstoppable.
3. To endure suffering, we must remember the lost
4. To endure suffering, we must remember to worship
5. To endure suffering, we must remember God's reward
6. To endure suffering, we must remember God's judgment

Copyright © 2017, 2018 (2Dakota do NorteEdition) Gregory Brown

Unless otherwise noted, major scriptures used are from the NET Bible®, Copyright © 1996-2016 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Marked Scripture Quotations (ESV) are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version®(ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing service of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Marked Bible Quotes (NTV) are from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Marked Bible citations (NASB) are from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used with permission.

Bible Marked Quotes (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Full emphasis on Bible quotes and commentaries has been added.

BTG Publishing all rights reserved.

1MacArthur, JF, Jr. (1995).2 timothy(Page 54). Chicago: Moody Press.

2Hughes, R.K. e Chapell, B. (2000).1 & 2 timothy y Tito: one guardia To die initial payment(S. 201). Wheaton, IL: Crossway-Bücher.

3MacArthur, JF, Jr. (2001).Felipe(S. 59-60). Chicago: Moody Press.

4Guzik, D. (2013).2 timothy(2 Timothy 2:9). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik.

5Stott, JRW (1973).guardia To die Gospel To die message Von 2 timothy(art. 63). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

6Stott, JRW (1973).guardia To die Gospel To die message Von 2 timothy(art. 63). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

7MacDonald, W. (1995).believers's A Bible Comment: alternative y novo Testament. . . . (A. Farstad, Hrsg.) (S. 2116). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

8Guzik, D. (2013).2 timothy(2 Timothy 2:11–13). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik.