New Living Translation
2 Timothy 2:13
13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.
2 Timothy 2:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
- New International Version (NIV)if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
- English Standard Version (ESV)if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
- New King James Version (NKJV)If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
Context of 2 Timothy 2:13
11This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. 12If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 14Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. 15Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
Read all of 2 Timothy 22 Timothy 2:13 word by word
εἰ ἀπιστοῦμεν, ἐκεῖνος πιστὸς μένει· ἀρνήσασθαι γὰρ ἑαυτὸν οὐ δύναται.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Timothy 2:13
- Isaiah 25:1O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.
- Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
- Romans 3:3True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful?
- Romans 9:6Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people!
- 1 Thessalonians 5:24God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
- Numbers 23:19God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
- Hebrews 6:18So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.
Commentaries on 2 Timothy 2:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13If we believe not - Should we deny the faith and apostatize, he is the same, as true to his threatenings as to his promises; he cannot deny - act contrary to, himself.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful - This cannot mean that, if we live in sin, he will certainly save us, as if he had made any promise to the elect, or formed any purpose that he would save them; whatever might be their conduct; because: (1) he had just said that if we deny him he will deny us; and, (2) there is no such promise in the Bible, and no such purpose has been formed. The promise is, that be that is a believer shall be saved, and there…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-13Verses 8-13 Let suffering saints remember, and look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despised the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God. We must not think it strange if the best men meet with the worst treatment; but this is cheering, that the word of God is not bound. Here we see the real and true cause of the apostle's suffering trouble in, or for…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13He remains faithful: This could mean that: he gives those who have sinned a chance to ask God for forgiveness; he judges non-Christians in truth according to his will that never changes; he acts as a true example for his people to follow; and/or he will achieve his purposes in history. He will save those who trust in him through the good news about Jesus (1:12; 2:19). See also Romans 3:3–4; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 1:9.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. believe not--"If we are unbelievers (literally, 'unfaithful'), He remains faithful" (De 7:9, 10). The oldest manuscripts read, "For He cannot (it is an impossibility that He should) deny Himself." He cannot be unfaithful to His word that He will deny those who deny Him, though we be not faithful to our profession of faith in Him (Ro 3:3). Three things are impossible to God, to die, to lie, and to be deceived [Augustine, The Creed, 1.1], (He 6:18)…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Timothy 2:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Timothy 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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