2 Timothy 2:10

Ver. 10. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, in order that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The connection between this and the preceding cannot be taken so close, as with Bengel, “Because through my chains the gospel runs, therefore I endure.” He, no doubt, has in view the diffusion of the word, because it was in connection with that his sufferings had come upon him; but in the present passage that circumstance rather lies in the background, recognised and felt, yet not distinctly exhibited; for he has a more special point which he wishes to bring into notice in relation to the preaching or diffusion of the word, viz. the salvation of God's elect. This was the aim of his preaching, yet not of his preaching merely, but also of his sufferings; for these, too, had an important bearing on the contemplated issue. We must therefore connect the διὰ τοῦτο at the commencement with what follows, as is usual in similar constructions, where these words stand related to a succeeding ἵνα, as at 1 Timothy 1:16, “For this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first,” etc. (διὰ τοῦτο ἠλεήθην, ἵνα ἐν ἐμοὶ πρώτῳ), and so again at Philemon 1:15. The explanation of Chrysostom is quite to the point: “For what cause do I suffer these things? For the benefit of others, that they may obtain eternal life. What, then, do you promise? He did not say simply, for the sake of some persons, but for the sake of the elect. If God chose them, we ought to suffer all things for them, in order that they also may obtain salvation. When he says, that they also, he means to say, as also we; for God chose us also; and as for us God suffered, so also we for them.” Under the name of the elect the apostle may certainly be regarded as having primarily in view those who belonged to that number in his own day; for them he was called more immediately to think and act, yet by no means exclusively. His apostolic work, as well in suffering as in preaching and writing, he knew well was for all countries and for all time; and the elect of this present age are in many ways reaping the benefit of his self-denying and devoted labours. Nor is it unimportant to mark how he heightens the good he sought for them not their salvation merely, but the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, and that with eternal glory: so that if their salvation has to be made good through trial and suffering, its connection with Christ, and with the mass of glory laid up with Him in eternity, justifies, and unspeakably more than justifies, the sacrifice. So in 1 Peter 5:10 the present suffering condition of believers generally is, in like manner, connected with their call to God's eternal glory.