The Meaning of 2 Timothy 2:10 Explained

2 Timothy 2:10

KJV: Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

YLT: because of this all things do I endure, because of the choice ones, that they also salvation may obtain that is in Christ Jesus, with glory age-during.

Darby: For this cause I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

ASV: Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Therefore  I endure  all things  for  the elect's  sakes,  that  they  may  also  obtain  the salvation  which  is in  Christ  Jesus  with  eternal  glory. 

What does 2 Timothy 2:10 Mean?

Study Notes

salvation
.
The Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία , safety, preservation, healing, and soundness). Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. Salvation is in three tenses:
(1) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin Luke 7:50 ; 1 Corinthians 1:18 ; 2 Corinthians 2:15 ; Ephesians 2:5 ; Ephesians 2:8 ; 2 Timothy 1:9 and is safe.
(2) the believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin Romans 6:14 ; Philippians 1:19 ; Philippians 2:12 ; Philippians 2:13 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; Romans 8:2 ; Galatians 2:19 ; Galatians 2:20 ; 2 Corinthians 3:18 .
(3) The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ. Romans 13:11 ; Hebrews 10:36 ; 1 Peter 1:5 ; 1 John 3:2 . Salvation is by grace through faith, is a free gift, and wholly without works; Romans 3:27 ; Romans 3:28 ; Romans 4:1-8 ; Romans 6:23 ; Ephesians 2:8 . The divine order is: first salvation, then works; Ephesians 2:9 ; Ephesians 2:10 ; Titus 3:5-8 .

Verse Meaning

Because the gospel is the power of God unto salvation Paul was content to endure anything so long as this message went forth (cf. Philippians 1:12-20).
"The body they may kill;God"s truth abideth still;His kingdom is forever." [1]
Paul had been the chief suppresser of the gospel ( Acts 22:4; Acts 26:9-11). Now he was its chief promoter. He had been the greatest oppressor of the saints. Now he was the most greatly oppressed of them.
"While the majority of the commentators understand the "elect" to refer to the unregenerate who have not yet believed (but certainly will), there is good reason to understand the term in this context as a virtual synonym for a regenerate saint. First of all, in every usage of the term applied to men, in the New Testament it always refers to a justified saint. Conversely, it never refers to someone who was elect in eternity past but who has not yet entered into the purpose of their election, justification.... It is best to understand by "the elect" Timothy and the faithful men of 2 Timothy 2:2. Timothy is being exhorted to suffer in his ministry to the faithful men just as Paul has been imprisoned for his ministry to the "elect." The idea of Paul suffering for the sanctification and growth of the churches is a common New Testament theme, and is easily seen in this passage as well.
"Here then are saved people in need of salvation! The salvation in view is necessarily sanctification or, perhaps, more precisely, victorious perseverance through trials ( 2 Timothy 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:3; 2 Timothy 2:9)." [2]

Context Summary

2 Timothy 2:10-18 - "approved Unto God"
The elect, 2 Timothy 2:10-13 : The Apostle sketches the experiences of the elect soul. It must endure, suffer, and die with Christ, that out of its surrender may come the truest, richest life, John 12:25. There is no path to lasting success save that of the cross and grave of Christ. It has been allotted to the redeemed in the divine program; each must tread it separately and with resolute purpose. But there is no doubt as to the sequel of a true life. The world of men may count it a failure, but God pledges Himself that as the pendulum swings here in the dark, it shall swing equally in yonder world of light. Three things are impossible with God-to die, to lie, and to fail the soul that trusts Him. Even when we cannot muster faith enough, His word of promise cannot be frustrated in the case of those whose faith is weak and trembling as the smoking flax.
The workman, 2 Timothy 2:14-18 : The one anxiety with us all should be to stand approved before God. As the r.v. margin suggests, we must hold a straight course in the word of truth. Our testimony should resemble an undeviating furrow. Let us construct in our life something which will be a permanent addition to the well-being of the world, so that at the last the Master may say that He is satisfied. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Timothy 2

1  Timothy is exhorted again to constancy and perseverance
17  Of Hymenaeus and Philetus
19  The foundation of the Lord is sure
22  He is taught whereof to beware, and what to follow after

Greek Commentary for 2 Timothy 2:10

For the elect‘s sake [δια τους εκλεκτους]
“Because of the elect.” God‘s elect (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; Titus 1:1) for whom Paul suffered so much (2 Corinthians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 12:15; Philemon 2:17; Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:13). [source]
That they also may obtain [ινα και αυτοι τυχωσιν]
Purpose clause with second aorist (effective) active subjunctive of τυγχανω — tugchanō with genitive. “They as well as I,” Paul means. The salvation (της σωτηριας — tēs sōtērias). The final salvation “with eternal glory” (μετα δοχης αιωνιου — meta doxēs aiōniou). This phrase only here and 1 Peter 5:10, but in 2 Corinthians 4:17 we have “eternal weight of glory.” [source]
The salvation [της σωτηριας]
The final salvation “with eternal glory” This phrase only here and 1 Peter 5:10, but in 2 Corinthians 4:17 we have “eternal weight of glory.” [source]
Therefore [διὰ τοῦτο]
Because I know that God is carrying on his work. [source]
That they may also [ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ]
More correctly, they also may, etc. Also, as well as myself. [source]
Obtain the salvation [σωτηρίας τύχωσιν]
The phrase N.T.oPaul has περιποίησις σωτηρίας obtainingof salvation, 1 Thessalonians 5:9. [source]
Which is in Christ Jesus []
The phrase salvation which is in Christ Jesus, N.T.oFor other collocations with in Christ Jesus in Pastorals, see 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:13; 2 Timothy 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:9, 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:15. [source]
With eternal glory [μετὰ δόξης αἰωνίου]
The phrase eternal glory only here and 1 Peter 5:10. Paul has αἰώνιον βάρος δόξης eternalweight of glory, 2 Corinthians 4:17. Glory here is the eternal reward of Christians in heaven. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Timothy 2:10

2 Corinthians 4:7 In earthen vessels [ἐν ὀστρακίνοις σκεύεσιν]
The adjective occurs only here and 2 Timothy 2:10. Herodotus says of the king of Persia: “The great king stores away the tribute which he receives after this fashion: he melts it down, and, while it is in a liquid state, runs it into earthen vessels, which are afterward removed, leaving the metal in a solid mass” (iii., 96). Stanley cites the story of a Rabbi who was taunted with his mean appearance by the emperor's daughter, and who replied by referring to the earthen vessels in which her father kept his wines. At her request the wine was shifted to silver vessels, whereupon it turned sour. Then the Rabbi observed that the humblest vessels contained the highest wisdom. The idea of light in earthen vessels is, however, best illustrated in the story of the lamps and pitchers of Gideon, Judges 7:16. In the very breaking of the vessel the light is revealed. [source]
1 Timothy 1:1 Our Savior [σωτῆρος ἡμῶν]
Comp. Luke 1:47; Judges 1:25. oP. Six times in the Pastorals. Used of both God and Christ (see Titus 1:3, Titus 1:4; Titus 2:10, Titus 2:13; Titus 3:4, Titus 3:6). The saving of men appears as God's direct will and act, 1 Timothy 2:4; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9as Christ's work, 1 Timothy 1:15, comp. 2 Timothy 2:10. In lxx σωτὴρ occurs twenty times, and in all but two instances, of God. [source]
2 Timothy 2:19 The Lord knoweth them that are his [ἔγνω κύριος τοὺς ὄντας αὐτοῦ]
The first inscription: God knows his own. Comp. Numbers 16:5; 1 Corinthians 13:12. For ἔγνω knowethsee on Galatians 4:9. Them that are his, his ἐκλεκτοὶ chosensee 2 Timothy 2:10; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 2:9: Revelation 17:14. Not, however, in any hard, predestinarian sense. Comp. John 10:14; Matthew 7:23; Luke 13:25, Luke 13:27. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Timothy 2:10 mean?

Because of this all things I endure for the sake of the elect so that also they [the] salvation may obtain that [is] in Christ Jesus with glory eternal
διὰ τοῦτο πάντα ὑπομένω διὰ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ σωτηρίας τύχωσιν τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ μετὰ δόξης αἰωνίου

διὰ  Because  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
τοῦτο  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
πάντα  all  things 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
ὑπομένω  I  endure 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀπομένω 
Sense: to remain.
διὰ  for  the  sake  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
ἐκλεκτούς  elect 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐκλεκτός  
Sense: picked out, chosen.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
σωτηρίας  [the]  salvation 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: σωτηρία  
Sense: deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation.
τύχωσιν  may  obtain 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: τυγχάνω  
Sense: to hit the mark.
τῆς  that  [is] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Χριστῷ  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
Ἰησοῦ  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
δόξης  glory 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: δόξα  
Sense: opinion, judgment, view.
αἰωνίου  eternal 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: αἰώνιος  
Sense: without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be.