2 Timothy 2:8–13

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.