2 Timothy 2:8–13 (ESV)
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead,
the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake
of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have
died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
Using several comparisons (solider, athlete, and farmer), Paul calls Timothy to find other faithful men who are able to share in the pastoral office. Christians—including
pastors—need one another, bearing one another’s burdens. Paul describes his love for others with the words “I endure everything for the sake of the elect.” These words also describe Christ’s
love for all people. He bore all things for us, so we would not be crushed beneath our overwhelming load of sin and death.
I pray: Thank You, Lord, that
You bore all things for me. Give me strength and love to help my neighbors bear their burdens. Amen.[1]