In among some other writings of Paul (to Timothy) in the Bible book of 2 Timothy, we find a “saying” [NIV] or “statement” [NASB], formatted by translators to show that it’s a little different than what precedes and follows it (sort of like how I try to set apart Bible verses apart from my own writing in these articles, I suppose).
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ti.2.11-13.NIV
Previous to these verses in chapter 2, Paul described examples of a soldier, athlete, and farmer. He also talked about suffering. After these verses, Paul asked Timothy to remind others about what he had been saying (probably including this passage), and to tell others to not argue about words.
The format of this passage seems to be made up of four phrases or stanzas. Your Bible translation might format it like Proverbs or Psalms. The origin of this saying might be something that the readers already knew, or maybe something new that Paul was teaching them.
From this passage, we learn that if we died with Jesus, we will live with Him. This is a foundational principle of the Christian walk. Romans 6 and Colossians 2 teach more about this (see Romans 6:3-7, Colossians 2:9-15). After all, when we accept Jesus, we are joined with His death (at least metaphorically) during our baptism. We die to self, and we die to our old way of life. And, once we have given our lives to Jesus, we live with Him. At a baptism, some pastors will describe being “raised to walk in newness of life”. We know that we will live with Jesus eternally, but that new life begins on this earth, as we are made new: each of us a new creation, as 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 describes.
We know that this is not only possible – it is certain – because of Jesus’ resurrection. God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, confirming that Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient to pay for our sins, and proving that death had been conquered.
Next, is a reminder that if we endure in living out the gospel (as I interpret Paul’s introduction here), we are promised to reign with Jesus. Paul has previously described the suffering that comes with following Jesus and spreading the good news – sticking to the truth – even when it cost him dearly, but there is value in enduring.
Jesus has already been seated at the right hand of God. In Paul’s case – and in our case, if we don’t give up – we will join with Jesus in eternity, reigning (in some form) with Him. This concept of reigning also appears in the book of Revelation. Revelation 20:4-6 talks about those who reign with Christ, for instance, and Revelation 5:6-10 and 22:5 talk more about God’s people – God’s servants – reigning.
On the other hand, if we reject Jesus, He has no choice but to do the same to us. It is our choice. As Jesus described in the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46), those who chose to not live out Jesus’ teachings (presumably as a result of their choice not to follow Him) were sent away.
In the context of Paul remaining faithful to the truth of Jesus (even when it resulted in suffering), there are times when we have a choice to stand up for our faith and for our Savior. In those times – whether obvious or subtle; whether through our words or our actions – we decide whether to stand up for Jesus, or to pretend that we don’t know Him.
(Now, let’s not forget that God is merciful. Jesus restored Peter after Peter’s three-time denial. So, if we’ve messed up in the past, and hid – or even denied – our faith, we can confess our sins to God, ask for forgiveness, and recommit to standing on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ as we go forward.)
Finally, even if we are “faithless”, Jesus remains faithful. No matter what imperfect human beings decide to do, Jesus Christ is unchanging and unwavering. As described in Hebrews 13:8, Jesus doesn’t change. He was there at Creation, and He will reign for eternity. Even though He humbled Himself and became human for a time, His nature, His righteousness, His truth, and His love for us are still the same as they always have been and always will be.
God is always faithful. He cannot be unfaithful (as the authors in the study guide describe well). On the other hand, human beings are generally unfaithful to Him. As a sinful human being, I have fallen short. I have sinned. I have been unfaithful to God. Praise God that He doesn’t change when I do, though. He not only prepared a way for me to return to Him, but He waited for me to accept that gift.
Paul sought to be faithful to Him and we must do the same: remaining faithful to God to the very end, knowing that God will remain faithful to us, even at the end of our mortal lives as we enter into eternity, where we will not only be with Him and serve Him, but we will reign with Him.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for April 13, 2025
References:
- 1717 Bible Studies, 2 Timothy, © 2025 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1, 2 Timothy & Titus, by C. Michael Moss. © 1994 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 