Secure Yet Scrutinized 2 Timothy 2:11-13 -- By: Brad McCoy

Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 01:1 (Autumn 1988)
Article: Secure Yet Scrutinized 2 Timothy 2:11-13
Author: Brad McCoy


Secure Yet Scrutinized
2 Timothy 2:11-13

Brad McCoy

Pastor
Fellowship Bible Church Shreveport, Louisiana

I. Introduction

Salvation from hell is a free gift received through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ.1 The regenerate person is secure in his possession of eternal life from the moment of saving faith because of the faithfulness of God to him.2 In stark contrast, true, vibrant discipleship involves a costly commitment of a believer’s life, expressed through steadfast obedience to Jesus Christ.3 The enduring disciple is promised special reward in Christ’s future kingdom because of his faithfulness to God.4

These fundamental truths are proclaimed by the Apostle Paul in 2 Tim 2:11–13. This passage revolves around four problematic conditional clauses (if… [then] constructions). In these verses Paul maintains that a believer in Christ is secure in his ownership of eternal life, yet his Christian life will be scrutinized by the Lord and special privilege and reward will be conferred on him only if he is found to have been faithful.

II. Secure Salvation
(2 Timothy 2:11)

Introductory Formula

Every Christian who at times has doubted his own salvation should memorize and meditate on this comforting verse. Verse 11 begins with the introductory formula, “It is a trustworthy statement:” (pistos ho logos).5 It has often been noted that this attestation, unique to the

Pastoral Epistles (1 Tim 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Titus 3:8) focuses special attention on the series of conditional clauses that follow in vv 11–13.6

Conditional clauses are made up of two major subclauses—an “if clause” and a “conclusion clause.” These two subclauses are technically termed the “protasis” and the “apodosis” respectively. This article will proceed by separately considering the if clause (the protasis) and the conclusion clause (the apodosis) of v You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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