2 Timothy 2:11-13
Faithful is the saying ( πιστος ο λογος ). The saying which follows here though it can refer to the preceding as in 1Ti 4:9. See 1Ti 1:15. It is possible that from here to the end of 13 we have the fragment of an early hymn. There are four conditions in these verses (11-13), all of the first class, assumed to be true. Parallels to the ideas here expressed are found in 2Th 1:5; 1Co 4:8; 2Co 7:3; Ro 6:3-8; Col 3:1-4. Note the compounds with συν ( συναπεθανομεν,we died with, from συναποθνεσκο as in 2Co 7:3; συνζησομεν,
we shall live with, from συνζαω as in 2Co 7:3; συμβασιλευσομεν,
we shall reign with, from συμβασιλευω as in 1Co 4:8). For υπομενομεν (we endure) see 1Co 13:7 and for απιστουμεν (we are faithless) see Ro 3:3. The verb αρνεομα, to deny ( αρνησομεθα, we shall deny, αρνησετα, he will deny, αρνησασθα, deny, first aorist middle infinitive) is an old word, common in the Gospels in the sayings of Jesus (Mt 10:33; Lu 12:9), used of Peter (Mr 14:70), and is common in the Pastorals (1Ti 5:8; Tit 2:12; 2Ti 3:5). Here in verse 13 it has the notion of proving false to oneself, a thing that Christ "cannot" ( ου δυνατα ) do.
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