It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
2 TIMOTHY 2:11KJVWhat does 2 Timothy 2:11 mean?
2 Timothy 2:11 says that if believers have died with Christ, they will also live with Him. This statement is presented as a trustworthy saying, emphasizing its reliability and importance.
Paul is writing to Timothy, a younger leader in the early church, encouraging him to stay strong in faith despite hardship. The verse points to the Christian belief that sharing in Christ’s death—meaning identifying with His sacrifice—leads to sharing in His resurrection life. This was meant to give hope and confidence to Timothy and others facing difficulties for their faith.
The Greek behind 2 Timothy 2:11
- πιστός (pistos; "faithful"): This word means trustworthy or reliable. Paul uses it to highlight that what follows is a statement believers can depend on.
- λόγος (logos; "saying"): This is the Greek word for "word" or "message." Here, it refers to a well-known or established saying among early Christians, giving the statement extra weight.
- συνεθανόμεν (synethanomen; "be dead with"): This word means to die together with someone. In this context, it refers to sharing in Christ’s death, not a literal physical death, but a spiritual identification with Him.
Why 2 Timothy 2:11 matters
- This verse reassures believers that suffering or sacrifice for Christ is not wasted, but leads to true life with Him.
- By calling it a "faithful saying," Paul signals that this is a core teaching, not just his personal opinion.
- The verse fits into a larger section where Paul encourages endurance and faithfulness, connecting present hardships to future hope.