2 Timothy 2:1–13

Verse 1. The grace which is in Christ Jesus; that is which is in thee by Christ Jesus. Witham.

Verse 2. Before many witnesses. Some expound it, in the presence of many witnesses; others, of the witnesses and testimonies which Saint Paul had brought out of the Scriptures, when he instructed Timothy. Witham.

Verse 3. Labour. [1] The Greek word implies, take pains in suffering; as Calmet. 1:8.—As a good soldier, and so forth The apostle bringeth three comparisons: 1. of a soldier; 2. of one that strives and runs for a prize; 3. of a husbandman. Witham.

Verse 4. No man … entangleth himself with worldly concerns: with other affairs of the world: much less must the soldier of Christ, who striveth, [2] (better than fighteth) which belongs to the first comparison. Witham.

Verse 6. The husbandman who laboureth [3] must first partake. Both the Latin and Greek texts admit of two interpretations: the sense may either be, that it is fitting the husbandman partake first and before others of the fruits of his labours, or that he must first labour and then partake. Witham.

Verse 7. The Lord will give thee understanding. [4] In some Greek copies, may he give thee. Witham.

Verse 8. According to my gospel. He seems to understand his preaching. Witham.

or, seed

Verse 9. In which I labour, or suffer, by the Greek. Witham.

Verse 10. The elect. By the elect, we need not always understand those predestinated to eternal glory, but chosen or called to the true faith; and this must rather be the meaning of Saint Paul in this place, who could not distinguish between those predestinated to glory and others. Witham.—Therefore I announce it with full liberty, suffering willingly all I have to endure for the sake of the elect.

Verse 11, and so forth If we be dead with him, to sin, or as others expound it, by martyrdom, we shall live also, and reign with him in heaven. But if we deny him, by renouncing our faith, or by a wicked life, he also will deny us, and disown us hereafter. See Matthew 10:33. He continues always faithful and true to his promises. He is truth, and cannot deny himself. Witham.

Verse 13. If we believe not; that is if we refuse to believe in God, or if after having believed, we depart from our faith, the Almighty still continues faithful; he is still what he was. Our believing in him cannot increase his glory, nor can our disbelief in him cause any diminution thereof, since it is already infinite. Estius.—The sense may be: when we renounce God, and refuse to believe in him, will he be less powerful to punish us? or, will his menaces be less true or less efficacious? He will effect his work without us, for he will infallibly bring about the salvation of his elect. V.