2 Timothy 2:10
What does 2 Timothy 2:10 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 2:10 means
Paul endures everything for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. His suffering is missional and pastoral; he bears pain to remove obstacles and to serve the church’s faith. The phrase “with eternal glory” holds out the future, weighty reward awaiting those saved in Christ. Paul’s perspective rescues hardship from meaninglessness: it becomes an investment in others’ everlasting good. This verse also underscores God’s sovereign initiative in salvation (the elect) and the ordained means—proclamation, example, and perseverance. Timothy is invited to share this purpose, valuing people’s eternal welfare above comfort, confident that glory outweighs affliction.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But I undergo all things for the saints, so that they may have salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because of this all things do I endure, because of the choice ones, that they also salvation may obtain that <FI>is<Fi> in Christ Jesus, with glory age-during.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For this cause I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which [is] in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Context
After asserting that God’s word is not bound (v.9), Paul reveals why he accepts chains: the salvation and glory of God’s chosen. This self-giving perspective sets up the “faithful saying” (vv.11–13), which poetically summarizes the dynamics of union with Christ—death and life, endurance and reigning, denial and being denied, God’s faithfulness. The saying interprets Paul’s endurance theologically and applies it to Timothy: perseverance now is connected to future rule with Christ, while denial has grave consequences.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 17:9
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine:
- 1 Peter 2:10
who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
- Proverbs 8:35
For whoso findeth me findeth life, And shall obtain favor of Jehovah.
- Romans 9:23
and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory,
- 1 Timothy 1:13
though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;
- 2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
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