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Commentary Critical and Explanatory

2 Timothy 2:13

If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Believe not - `if we are unbelieving' [ apistoumen (G569)]; continued unbelief: a further step than 'denying' (2 Timothy 2:12), which might be temporary. He remains faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9-5). 'Aleph (') Delta G (but not C, Vulgate) read 'for.' He cannot possibly deny Himself. He can do all things consistent with His being God, supremely true, good, and wise. He cannot break His word, that He will deny these who deny Him, though we break our profession of faith in Him (Romans 3:3). Three things are impossible to God-to die, to lie, and to be deceived (Augustine, 'Symbolum ad Catechumenos,' 1: 1) (Hebrews 6:18). This impossibility is not infirmity, but infinite majesty. Comfort is suggested to believers, that He is faithful to His promises to them; while apostates are stripped of their self-deceiving fancy, that because they change, Christ will.

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See also 2 Timothy 2:13 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 13. _IF WE BELIEVE NOT_] Should we deny the faith and apostatize, he is the same, as true to his threatenings as to his promises; _he cannot deny _- act contrary to, himself....

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    IF WE BELIEVE NOT, YET HE ABIDETH FAITHFUL - This cannot mean that, if we live in sin, he will certainly save us, as if he had made any promise to the elect, or formed any purpose that he would save t...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    II. FAITH'S CONFLICT AND THE BELIEVER'S PATH CHAPTER 2 _ 1. The apostle's charge (2 Timothy 2:1)_ 2. As soldier and husbandman (2 Timothy 2:3) 3. Identification with Christ (2 Timothy 2:8) 4

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    (_d_) 2 Timothy 2:1. THE APPEAL RENEWED. Thus enriched in his ordination, challenged by Paul's example, and warned by the Asian defection, Timothy, for all his work, must find continual strength in hi...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    This is a saying which can be relied upon: If we die with him, we shall also live with him. If we endure, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he too will deny us. If we are faithless, he re...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE CHAIN OF TEACHING (2 Timothy 2:1-2)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    BELIEVE NOT. are unbelieving. Greek. _apieteo._ Acts 28:24. ABIDETH. See p. 1511. HE. The texts prefix "For". CANNOT. is not (App-105.) able to....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    A yet higher illustration from God's own plan of salvation the Cross before the Crown Just as in the first chapter St Paul appeals first to Timothy's sympathies and experiences of an earthly kind to...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _if we believe not_ R.V. IF WE ARE FAITHLESS giving both the play of words in the contrast -he abideth faithful" and the stronger force required for the climax; as -sovereignty" is better than -life,...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    FRAGMENT OF A HYMN ON THE GLORIES OF MARTYRDOM...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΓΆΡ. אcK omit this, as does the rec. text; but the MS. authority is decisive for its retention. 13. ΕἸ�, ἘΚΕΙ͂ΝΟΣ ΠΙΣΤῸΣ ΜΈΝΕΙ. _If we are faithless, He abideth faithful_. The last clause gives a sole...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

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  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 2247 THE EQUITY OF GOD’S PROCEDURE 2 Timothy 2:11. _It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    IF WE BELIEVE NOT,— _If we are unfaithful,—yet he continues faithful;_ [as well in his threatenings as in his promises;] _he cannot contradict himself._ Heylin. A man may be _unfaithful,_ by denying t...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

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  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    2 Timothy had been with the apostle in Rome, whence he was probably sent to Philippi (Php_2:19). The most loving and intimate relations existed between them, and Paul continually refers to him as his...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    8 The literal resurrection of Christ as the Seed of David seems to be the apostle's answer to the theory of a spiritual resurrection. The Seed of David can be nothing less than a literal Man. 10 'The...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    HE ABIDETH FAITHFUL] We have been admitted into covenant with Him, and whatever we may do, He will observe the terms of the agreement, whether they bring us good or evil. 14-21. Urgent charge to Timo...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    EXHORTATIONS TO FLRMNESS, UNCONTENTIOUSNESS, AND PERSEVERANCE 1-26. The duties of God's ministers are, (1) to maintain the faith against assailants and seducers (2 Timothy 2:1; 2 Timothy 2:14; 2 Timot...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    HOW WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER TO DO GOD’S WORK 2 TIMOTHY _IAN MACKERVOY_ CHAPTER 2 APPEAL TO BE STRONG AND TO SUFFER (2:1-13) V1 You then, my child, be strong with the help of Christ Jesus...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    IF WE BELIEVE NOT. — Better rendered, _if we are faithless_ — that is, untrue to the vows of our Christian profession. The faithlessness implies more than mere unbelief in any of the fundamental doctr...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

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  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    εἰ ἀπιοτοῦμεν : It is reasonable to hold that the sense of ἀπιστέω in this place must be determined by the antithesis of πιστὸς μένει. Now πιστός, as applied to God, must mean _faithful_ (Deuteronomy...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

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  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    “APPROVED UNTO GOD” 2 Timothy 2:10 _ The elect_, 2 Timothy 2:10: The Apostle sketches the experiences of the elect soul. It must endure, suffer, and die with Christ, that out of its surrender may com...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    In order to fulfil the ideal revealed in the instructions, Timothy was charged to "be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." The apostle employed three figures of speech, the soldier, the...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    ENCOURAGEMENT TO CONTINUE DESPITE SUFFERING The Christian's constant source of strength during times of trial is Jesus Christ. That he was a man is plainly seen in his being the seed of David (Romans...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    If we believe not; i.e. 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 cann...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (11) It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: (12) If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (13) If we believe not, ye...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Turning to the SECOND EPISTLE, we find that, although there is the same grand truth of the Saviour God maintained, the state of things had become sensibly worse, and the hour for the apostle's departu...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _UNCHANGING FAITHFULNESS_ ‘If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny himself.’ 2 Timothy 2:13 There is no believer in the whole world—however long he may have believed, and however...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    13_If we are unbelieving, he remaineth faithful _The meaning is, that our base desertion takes nothing from the Son of God or from his glory; because, having everything in himself, he stands in no nee...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The truth was the especial treasure committed to him; and he has not only to keep it, as we have seen, but to take care that it was propagated and communicated to others after him, and perhaps still f...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    IF WE BELIEVE NOT, YET HE ABIDETH FAITHFUL,.... The Syriac and Ethiopic versions read, "if we believe not him". This may be understood, either of such who are altogether destitute of faith, who do not...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    If we believe not, _yet_ he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Ver. 13. _If we believe not_] _See Trapp on "_ Rom 3:3 _"_ Some sense it thus: though we prove perfidious, yet he is no loser by...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _It is a faithful saying_ A saying as important as it is true. _If we be dead_ Greek, συναπεθανομεν, _die_, or _have died, with him_ To the world and sin, and be ready to die for him; _we shall live w...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    FAITHFUL; to all his promises and threatenings. DENY HIMSELF; be untrue to his own character and declarations. The words CAN and CANNOT, like many other words in the Bible, are used in different sens...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    AN ADMONITION TO FAITHFULNESS IN FAITH AND CHRISTIAN CONDUCT....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    IF WE BELIEVE NOT, YET HE ABIDETH FAITHFUL; HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF. Faithfulness in the ministerial office, indeed, in any office in the Church, depends on the certainty of the Christian faith. For th...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    If in chapter 1 we have seen the blessedness of God's abiding presence in His beloved saints - whatever may be the human failure everywhere - now in chapter 2, verses 1 to 13, there is a resulting con...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    8-13 Let suffering saints remember, and look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despised the shame, and is now set down at t...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    IF WE BELIEVE NOT, YET HE ABIDETH FAITHFUL; whether we believe or believe not, or whether we be faithful to our trust or be not, yet God will show himself faithful, either to his promises made to them...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    2 Timothy 2:13 If G1487 faithless G569 (G5719) He G1565 remains G3306 (G5719) faithful G4103 cannot G3756...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    2 Timothy 2:13. IF WE BELIEVE NOT. The antithesis in the Greek is better expressed _by, ‘If we lose our faith. He still remains faithful.'_ The special reference is of course to the words of Christ ju...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    2 Timothy 2:1. _Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus._ Is an exhortation to every one of us, not only to have grace, but to be strong in it. There are many professor...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    2 Timothy 1:1. _Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Walk of a good soldier of Christ in times of apostasy. CHARACTERS: Christ, Paul, Timothy, David, Hymenaeus, Philetus, Satan. CONCLUSION: Those who have work to do for Christ must stir them...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    2 Timothy 2:1. _Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus._ Be strong in the Lord, and in every virtue. This is chiefly repeated from Ephesians 6:10. 2 Timothy 2:3. _Endure hardness,_ or hardship...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    HE REMAIN FAITHFUL. Even if we turn away from him, he will be faithful to every promise, and every threat!!! See Romans 3:4 and note....

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful._ FAITHLESS “If we are faithless”--that is, untrue to the vows of our Christian profession, the faithlessness implies more than mere unbelief in any of th...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    2 TIMOTHY—NOTE ON 2 TIMOTHY 2:11 In this context, to DENY Christ means a final rejection of him. This is not merely a temporary lapse in one’s faith (IF WE ARE FAITHLESS)....

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 2 Timothy 2:9. I SUFFER TROUBLE.—R.V. “hardship.” AS AN EVIL-DOER.—He is treated as one would be whose whole aim was to do evil—a constant menace to society. UNTO BOND...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION 2 TIMOTHY 2:1 _Child _for _son_, A.V.; _strengthened _for _strong, _A.V. BE STRENGTHENED (ἐνδυναμοῦ)_; _more exactly (as Huther), _become strong, _or, which is the same thing, _strengthe...

  • The Typology of Scripture by Patrick Fairbairn

    Vers. 11-13. _Faithful is the saying, For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him._ Does the saying point to what precedes, or to what follows? Commentators are divided on the question; and a...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace (2 Timothy 2:1) You see, it is legalism that is threatening the church. This idea that you can work yourself into divine favor. So "be strong in the gra...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 6:18; Isaiah 25:1;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    If we believe not [ε ι α π ι σ τ ο υ μ ε ν]. Better, are faithless or untrue to him. Comp. Romans 3:3. In Pastorals only here. Faithful [π ι σ τ ο ς]. True to his own nature, righteous character, and...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE CHRISTIAN'S TITLES 2 Timothy 2:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We will discuss the seven distinctive names under which Paul addressed his son in the faith. As a prelude to these seven names, it might be h...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    If we believe not — That is, though some believe not, God will make good all his promises to them that do believe. He cannot deny himself — His word cannot fail....

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