2 Timothy 2:10

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." [Note: Martin Luther, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.]

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)." [Note: Joseph C. Dillow, The Reign of the Servant Kings, pp. 127-28. Cf. Knight, p. 400; and Towner, The Letters . . ., p. 504.]