Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Timothy 2:11

πιστὸς ὁ λόγος. See notes on 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 4:9. Commentators are not agreed as to the reference of this formula here; some, following Chrysostom, hold that it refers to what precedes, viz. the motive to patient endurance set forth in 2 Timothy 2:10. And it is urged that γάρ, which seems to introduce a reason for what has been said, necessitates this explanation and excludes the reference of πιστὸς ὁ λόγος to 2 Timothy 2:12-13. But, on the other hand, there is nothing in the preceding verses of the nature of a formula or aphorism or quotation, and it is to such stereotyped phrases that πιστὸς ὁ λόγος has reference in the other instances of its occurrence. And there can be little doubt that 2 Timothy 2:12-13 are a quotation from a Christian hymn or confession, probably from a hymn on the glories of martyrdom. The antithetical character of the clauses is obvious:—

εἰ συναπεθάνομεν καὶ συνζήσομεν·

εἰ ὑπομένομεν καὶ συνβασιλεύσομεν·

εἰ�·

ἀρνήσασθαι γὰρ ἑαυτὸν οὐ δύναται.

The last line is, possibly, not part of the quotation, but an explanatory comment added by the writer; but, in any case, this fragment of a hymn is exactly the kind of ‘saying’ to which the formula πιστὸς ὁ λόγος would apply. The presence of γάρ in the first clause may be variously accounted for. It may actually be a part of the quotation (as is suggested in the text of the Revised Version); or, again, its force may be merely explanatory, ‘for, as you remember,’ &c.

εἰ συναπεθάνομεν. The words are very close to those of Romans 6:8, εἰ δὲ�, πιστεύομεν ὄτι καὶ συνζήσομεν αὐτῷ; but while in that passage the thought is of baptism as typifying a death to sin, in this fragment of a hymn the reference seems to be to death by martyrdom. The ethical reference of the words here to baptism would, no doubt, give a good sense, but it is not harmonious with the context; the hymn is quoted as an incentive to courage and endurance. The aorist tense, συναπεθάνομεν, should be noted; it points to a single definite act of self-devotion, and in this is contrasted with ὑπομένομεν in the next line, where the present tense marks a continual endurance.

καὶ συνζήσομεν, we shall also live with Him; not to be interpreted in any figurative or allegorical sense, but literally, of the life of the blessed in heaven.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Timothy 2:11

Old Testament

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