2 Tim. 2:8. By my gospel.
But there were also those who preached the gospel differently, yet one should heed not them, but my gospel.
2 Tim. 2:9. For which I suffer even unto bonds, as an evildoer.
Again he comforts the disciple by his own example, speaking both of how he suffers and of how he has a bad reputation.
2 Tim. 2:9. But for the word of God there are no bonds.
So that no one would say: what is the benefit of that? And what is so remarkable if you are bound? Show me the advantage, show me something remarkable; the apostle says: the word is not bound. For it is not a material thing that can be stopped when the body is bound. The word is a Divine thing, the word is God's: when we are bound, it is free and extends forward. And so we write and preach, even though we are bound. You see the miracle, and you see the benefit as well.
2 Tim. 2:10. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect.
Here is yet another exhortation. It is not for myself, he says, that I endure, but for the salvation of others: not so that I myself may be glorified, but for others. Who then are they? God's chosen ones. Therefore, if God has chosen them, then we must endure all things for their sake.
2 Tim. 2:10. That they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus.
And they, just as we. As God suffered for us, he says, to save us, so we also suffer for them. So this is a recompense, not a gift. Then, lest someone say to him: what are you talking about? You yourself are in chains and are about to perish, yet you boast of being the cause of salvation for others? I am not speaking, he says, of this bodily salvation, but of that which is "in Christ Jesus," the true, glorious, eternal salvation of the soul, while bodily salvation is not unconditionally glorious. Listen to what follows next.
2 Tim. 2:10. With eternal glory.
Do not only so that they might be saved, but even more, so that they might also be glorified together with us eternally. Therefore, although bonds are shameful, they bring both glory to chosen people, and eternal glory. And if to others, then all the more to me, who am bound by them. So do not worry about me.
2 Tim. 2:11. Faithful is the word.
Since many doubt concerning the future life and glory, saying: when I am alive, I die, and when I die, I shall live? and the like: therefore the apostle, confirming his word, says: "faithful is the word." What word? That the elect shall attain glorious and eternal salvation.
2 Tim. 2:11. If we died with Him, then with Him we shall also live.
He confirms the same thing with human reasoning as well. Already above the apostle presented proof of this when he said: "remember the Lord Jesus, risen from the dead"; he showed that Christ rose after death. In what way then does he confirm it? If we share in sufferings with Christ, then shall we not share in blessings? Even a man would not do this, how much more God, the source of righteousness and goodness? The apostle speaks here both of spiritual death in baptism and of bodily death through suffering and torment.
2 Tim. 2:12. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.
It is not enough to give oneself over to some death once, but forever. "I die daily," says the apostle (1 Cor. 15:31). So, one must endure much in order that we may be deemed worthy of reigning with Christ as well.
2 Tim. 2:12. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
The Apostle confirms his word also from the opposite side. For the recompense will be not only for good relations with the Lord, but also for the opposite of that. "Whoever denies Me," He says, "I will also deny him" (Matt. 10:33). Think about what the one who has denied Christ will have to endure!
2 Tim. 2:13. If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful.
If we do not believe, He suffers no harm from this; He is true. He is unchangeable, whether we deny Him or do not deny Him.
2 Tim. 2:13. For He cannot deny Himself.
That is, He cannot not exist. His nature is not such that He could turn into non-existence. He exists always, even if we do not confess Him. Therefore, the benefit or harm from whether we acknowledge Him or deny Him, in either case, is not for Him, but for us.
2 Tim. 2:14. Remind them of these things.