2 Timothy 2:10

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.

For the elect's sake ... Disputes about whether this means those already saved or those to be saved in the future are pointless. All of the elect of all times and places truly benefit from the faithful suffering of the apostle Paul. Had there been any wavering on his part, any form of retraction, denial or adjustment of the holy message he had shouted up and down the ancient empire; had there been on Paul's part the slightest evidence of his doubt concerning what he had taught; if he had ever given the tiniest indication of any willingness to compromise the truth to save his life - any such weakness of the apostle under pressure would have brought agony to the believers of all generations and shouts of triumph from their enemies. On the other hand, how reassuring is the seal of Paul's martyrdom upon the apostolic testimony he delivered. This verse reveals the amazing truth that Paul knew the importance his sufferings would have throughout time to eternity for all of the elect. Therefore, he was more than willing to suffer on behalf of all who afterward might hear the gospel message and become Christians that they also may obtain the salvation! At the same time, his sufferings were for those already saved; because, if any moral failure had marred Paul's life at this juncture, the faith of many Christians then living would have been destroyed by such a disaster.

The elect ... Ward quite properly noted that "This text implies that it is not the bare fact of election that saves men. The gospel of Christ has to be preached even to the elect."[15] The faithfulness of the elect even after they were saved "from their old sins" is likewise implied here; because the message of this verse is that such necessary fidelity would be greatly encouraged and aided by Paul's faithful suffering of martyrdom.