I asked a few people that I am aqainted with through other forum boards. Here are some comments on 2 Timothy 2:10.
Godrulz comments:
The remote context is a pastoral letter to the churches and leaders.
2 Timothy, not I
2:8-10 Christ's example of endurance (immediate context)...
2:8 Jesus is the ultimate example of endurance leading to success...suffering illustrated in a servant.
2:9, 10 Preaching the gospel landed Paul in jail. Acts shows Paul's suffering for the cause of Christ. He was chained, but God's Word was not chained. God would continue through Timothy and others. Paul endured everything for those who would believe and become part of God's corporate elect.
Predestination/election is not based on one proof text.
Ephesians, etc. shows that election is corporate (nation of Israel and the Church). All who come to God individually through faith become part of God's elect. It is deductive Calvinism (TULIP) to assume that God elects some in eternity, but damns others based on decree. This makes God's love partial and limited. Arminianism says that God foreknows individuals based on simple foreknowledge and elects them while supposedly maintaining free will.
Open Theism (my view) would say that the plan of redemption was intended for all men (Jn. 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9), but only efficacious or appropriated by those who believe. Once they believe (vs decreed/foreknown), they become part of the elect. Paul suffered that others could hear the gospel, the tool the Spirit uses to draw, influence, persuade, woo, convict, and convince towards salvation. It was not settled in eternity past. The future is partially open and God does not coerce or cause reconciled relationships.
Many translations slip Calvinistic bias into proof texts, so a peak at the Greek in some verses might undermine the proof text.
When I read this verse, I do not see Calvinism. I see Paul's burden for those who would eventually believe his gospel that cannot be chained. Persecution often fueled church growth. It would be reading too much into the verse to assume that individual's were elected apart from a response to the gospel before they were even born. Paul also knew that many would not believe and would not become part of the elect. This was not the gospel's or God's fault. The culpability lies with the individual hard heart who could have been elect if only they came on God's terms and ceased their selfish rebellion.
There may also be an allusion to the necessity of enduring, persevering, continuing in the faith vs falling away (v. 11 lists the various contingencies).
Evangelion comments:
As I understand it, Paul is saying that he endures his present sufferings (including the persecution that he received at the hands of the unbelieving Jews) for the sake of his brethren and sisters.
The implication is that they will be encouraged by his example, remain faithful to God's Word, and find a place in Christ's kingdom.
Jac3510 comments:
The only reason I mention it is because in the verses that follow, Paul explains what he means by "salvation." Unfortunately, most Christians hear the term "salvation" and immediately think "go to heaven." That is one aspect of salvation, but the word itself (gk. soteria) just means "deliverance."
Anyway, if you look at the whole of 2 Tim, Paul is exhorting him to persevere in the faith. In chapter 2, he makes that theme more explicit and notes his own suffering that he is persevering through. What is the result of perseverence? Rewards, specifically, we will reign with Christ. If we do not persevere, we will be denied before God (2:12). That does not mean we lose our status as children of God. It means we lose our right to reign with Him forever.
Thus, Paul perseveres for the elect, that they may see him and his example and continue believing the Gospel. In doing so, they may hold fast to the faith and obtain the salvation of Jesus Christ with eternal glory, that is, to reign with Him as Sons of God.
Me myself, I think we must meditiate and consider these Scriptures if not others,
before coming to any conclusion:
Eph. 3:13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
2. Cor. 1:6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
Phil. 1:12-14 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
God Bless,
Troy