Remember, that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, (9) for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. (10) Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  (11) For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.  (12) If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.  if we deny Him, He will also deny us.  (13) If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

The second letter to Timothy was written by the apostle Paul who was in chains in prison facing execution for preaching the gospel. Timothy was by nature timid and shied away from conflict and controversy  and Paul was writing his last words to give him encouragement to persevere.  The Jewish legalizers were everywhere the ancient church flourished and they were turning the people away from the imprisoned  Paul and the gospel.  So the outward appearance of Paul was of a criminal but he makes it clear that he is suffering as an advantage to the elect rather than a reproach – that nothing can chain the gospel. The faithful were also fearful of the persecution of those days.

Paul begins our verses today with the foundational truth of the resurrection of Christ.  Paul wants to ensure this doctrine continues entire and uncorrupted. Another heresy at that time was that the resurrection of man in Christ was already past and there was denial that Jesus was truly man as well as truly divine – thus the emphasis of Jesus being of the seed of David.  Timothy is encouraged to endure referring to Christ’s humanity; the man Jesus suffered and died for our sins.  Paul writes “according to my gospel” meaning not that he invented the gospel but it was revealed to him by Christ Jesus.  Paul is not an author but a minister.

Our final verses quote an ancient Christian hymn saying that if the Christians keep the faith what follows is the opposite of our  human nature  – that if we, in Christ, do not die apart from our faith that we will have eternal life with Him.  But what follows is a threat – that those who in fear or unbelief deny Christ and instead esteem this transitory world, they  will also be denied by Christ.  Paul meant for this to be considered a serious and true judgment at the appointed time of our lives.  If man be faithless Christ will remain faithful  for what man does takes nothing from Christ Jesus. The application here is that when suffering now as Christians, the faithful are to remember Christ is Lord and will return for judgment or salvation.