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FAQ # 89
QUESTION 89 : Take 2 Timothy 2:13, "if
we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself."
The proper understanding of 2 Tim 2:11-13 is if a Christian would disown
(or deny) Jesus (as Peter did three times) and thereby show he is faithless
at that point, God will remain faithful and disown (or deny) us, as Paul
just wrote, which was a repeat of Jesus' teaching in Mt. 10:33. Isn't
that undoubtedly so?
Before answering this question, notice
the fatal flaw from it - the example of Peter. That alone should show
that this notion is incorrect, for after Peter's allege thrice denial,
Jesus not only didn't disown him as 2 Tim 2:13 is to prove, but used him
as a great pillar of the church upon conversion.
In the table/chart refuting untrue concepts against Justification,
I'd dealt with Matt 10:33. The reason I'm bringing it up is that this
person, Daniel Corner, said 2 Tim 2:11-13 is the same thing or even a
repeat of it. So rather than do a separate answer all over again, let
me reiterate what was written,
This verse doesn’t apply
to truly converted Christians, as in born again. But rather, to those
who profess to be and are not. The scripture says, "the righteous
are bold as a lion" (Prov 21:8); and today, righteousness comes by
being born again. Your nature is changed. In fact, you wouldn't become
born again if you didn't posses or was given a level of boldness. Now,
while born again, this is forefront in your life and makes it impossible
for you to deny Christ or be offended in him. Some of the disciples were
scattered far away when Christ was taken, but after receiving his spirit
at Pentecost, they became willing martyrs. You're apart of Christ, his
body and "no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and
cherisheth it" (Eph 5:29), not deny it. Matthew 10:33 was pointing
to unregenerated believers, more specifically, wagonists.
So 2 Tim 2:13 should now read from Dan's lips, "if a MAN [not born again
Christian] would disown (or deny) Jesus and thereby show he is faithless
at that point, God will remain faithful and disown (or deny) HIM." Thus the rhetoric
of 2 Tim 2:11-13 should be:
1. "It is a faithful saying:
For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:"
That is, if
a man, not save persons, choose to give up their lives for Christ and
be dead because of it, that man shall also live with Christ in glory because
of it. No questions about it!
2. "If we suffer, we shall also reign
with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:"
That is, if an unsaved man chooses to become
save, hence choosing to suffer, that man will reign with Christ in glory
because of it. No questions about it!
3. "If
we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself."
That is, if an unsaved man choose to not believe the
gospel, justice demands satisfaction (faithful) and Christ has to carry
out judgments on that man. No questions about it!
The style in which Paul writes would seem to some that he
is talking about believers; because he uses the word "We." However,
if you were an avid writer/reader, you'd know that it is a sort of empathic
way to write. For instance, I would say to a pack stadium of saints and
unbelievers, "Friends, how are we to overcome sin and become
born again?" Notice the use of the word "we," it would
seem that I have included myself in them that need to overcome sin and
become born again, but I'm already born again and preaching. However,
what I have done was to empathize with the audience by saying "We"
- also a sign of humility, and leaning on their minds that I'm not some
super human above them and exempt from the rudiments of the world. This
was the style of Paul's writing. But we know that he was speaking
of the unbelievers only - see I use the word "we" again, assuming
you share in my understanding. Hence, though he uses the word “we,” he
spoke of unsaved persons in these verses.
To show that he knew that he spoke of the unsaved and often
curious persons in the congregation, he later said, "But in a great
house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood
and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour" (2 Tim 2:20).
What he was doing was teaching Timothy how to deal with persons
in the congregation that were gendering questions; especially about their
eternal state. That's the reason I put "No questions about it" at end of the explanations
above, because that was the sentiment that was meant. And that is why
he said, "it is a faithful saying;"
or this is a sound non-variable doctrine, applicable across the board
for unsaved persons and those claiming to be. Hence, "that they strive
not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers… But
foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes"
(2 Tim 2:14, 23). There was obvious controversy surrounding the tenets
of the three verses explained above.
Then to balance it, by informing Timothy
that he wasn't talking of the saints for he knew they were sealed, he
said, "the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The
Lord knoweth them that are his" (2 Tim 2:19). But Timothy knew this
because the spirit gave him "understanding in all things " (2
Tim 2:27), but sometimes iron needs to sharpen iron.
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