The Journal of Biblical Accuracy

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2 Timothy 2:11-13: "if we deny him, he will also deny us"

The next passage we will check is 2 Timothy 2:11-13. There we read:

2 Timothy 2:11-13
"The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself."

The word "him", obviously refers to Christ as He is the one who has died and will reign. Now can we deny Christ? Again, if there was no such possibility then Paul would have never mentioned it. Yes then, it is possible that somebody denies Him. He should NOT deny Him, but deceived he may end up doing it. What will happen in this case? The Word leaves no space for speculation: "if we deny him, he will also deny us".

To avoid these plain words many go to verse 33 and say: "but see verse 33: "if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself". Then they try to use this verse to support that if we deny Him is actually nothing that serious for He is faithful and He will not actually deny us. But such an interpretation is obviously wrong, for just one verse before we read it plainly and clearly: if we deny Him, He will deny us. What verse 33 actually tells us is that He is always faithful, but this does not mean that He accepts us even when we deny Him, because one verse earlier Paul settled this question. It is a contrast between us, if we are faithless, and Him, who is always faithful. Christ is never going to be faithless! We may choose to be faithless but He is never that way. He is always faithful.

Next section: James 5:19-20: the wandered brother

Author: Anastasios Kioulachoglou