"If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him;
if we endure, we will also reign with Him;
if we deny Him, He also will deny us;
if we are faithless, He remains faithful - for He cannot deny Himself" (2 Tim. 2:11-13).
These words of Paul have a special look about them. Chances are that in your Bible these lines are arranged differently from the rest of 2 Timothy. That is because they are likely a hymn - a hymn composed possibly by Paul himself. If so, my guess is that he wrote it as prisoner in Rome (from which 2 Timothy as a whole was written): "bound with chains as a criminal. But the Word of God is not bound!" (2 Tim. 2:9). And according to that, this little hymn is the true Unchained Melody.
There is a quite famous passage in Acts in which we learn that when thrown into prison in Philippi: "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them" (Acts 16:25). Now we have reason to believe that Paul may have composed some of the hymns he sang. A further testimony to the joy of Christ that overcomes the sorrow of suffering!
The one before us in 2 Timothy is a gem. It has four parts, each beginning with the word "if," and it has a very thoughtful progression. The first part refers to Baptism and faith in the crucified, risen Jesus Christ.
The second part speaks to persecution for this faith and the prize to be won for enduring it.
The third part is a warning against falling away as a result of persecution.
And the fourth part is a pure Gospel and comfort that when we are weak, He is strong for us and will see us through!
So in just a few choice words, Paul touches every aspect of the Christian's experience, and his own.
Now sing with Paul and "Rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil. 4:4) and forever!
