2 Timothy 2:11

KJV

[It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]:

KJV (with Strong's)

It is a faithful {G4103} saying {G3056}: For {G1063} if {G1487} we be dead with {G4880} him, we shall {G4800} also {G2532} live with {G4800} him:

Complete Jewish Bible

Here is a statement you can trust:

If we have died with him,
we will also live with him.

Berean Standard Bible

This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

American Standard Version

Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Timothy 2:11 presents a foundational truth, often recognized as an early Christian creedal statement, offering profound encouragement and assurance to believers. It articulates the inseparable spiritual union between Christ and His followers, asserting that their identification with His death is inextricably linked to their participation in His resurrection life. This "faithful saying" serves as a bedrock of hope, especially for those enduring hardship or persecution, by firmly connecting present suffering and commitment to Christ with the certain promise of future glory and eternal fellowship with Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Paul’s second letter to Timothy, serving as a powerful anchor amidst a series of exhortations concerning steadfastness in ministry and discipleship. Paul, likely imprisoned and facing imminent death, is instructing his young protégé, Timothy, on how to endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus ([2 Timothy 2:3](/2_timothy/2-3 "2 Timothy 2:3 - Enduring Hardship as a Soldier of Christ")). The immediate preceding verse, [2 Timothy 2:10](/2_timothy/2-10 "2 Timothy 2:10 - Enduring for the Elect's Sake"), speaks of Paul's own endurance "for the elect's sakes," setting the stage for the profound truth that follows. The "faithful saying" in [2 Timothy 2:11](/2_timothy/2-11 "2 Timothy 2:11 - The Faithful Saying of Death and Life with Christ") then provides the theological bedrock for such perseverance. The subsequent verses, [2 Timothy 2:12-13](/2_timothy/2-12-13 "2 Timothy 2:12-13 - Enduring, Reigning, Denying, and God's Faithfulness"), expand on this theme, contrasting the glorious outcome of enduring with Christ with the dire consequences of denying Him, yet affirming God's unwavering faithfulness even in human unfaithfulness. Thus, the saying functions as a central theological premise for the practical and ethical instructions Paul imparts.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote 2 Timothy during a period of intense persecution for Christians under the Roman Empire, likely from a Roman prison, anticipating his martyrdom. Timothy, serving as a leader in Ephesus, faced significant challenges, including false teachers, internal strife, and external pressures. In this volatile environment, Paul sought to equip Timothy with theological truths that would provide stability and courage. The phrase "faithful saying" (Greek: *pistos logos*) was likely a recognized formula or creedal statement, possibly an early Christian hymn or liturgical confession, used to emphasize core, universally accepted doctrines within the early church. Such concise, memorable statements served as vital theological anchors for believers navigating a hostile world, providing a shared understanding of their identity in Christ and their ultimate hope. This context underscores the urgency and weight of the truth conveyed in the verse, intended to fortify Timothy and, by extension, all believers against apostasy and despair.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Timothy 2:11](/2_timothy/2-11 "2 Timothy 2:11 - The Faithful Saying of Death and Life with Christ") encapsulates several pivotal themes central to Pauline theology and the broader Christian narrative. Foremost is the theme of **union with Christ**, emphasizing the believer's profound and mystical identification with Jesus in both His death and resurrection. This union is the basis for the **new life** believers now possess, a life freed from the dominion of sin and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It also directly relates to the theme of **suffering and glory**, asserting that present suffering endured for Christ's sake is not in vain but is a prerequisite for future co-reigning with Him ([2 Timothy 2:12](/2_timothy/2-12 "2 Timothy 2:12 - Enduring and Reigning with Christ")). The verse also highlights the **reliability of God's promises** and the **foundational nature of Christian truth**, as indicated by the "faithful saying" designation. These themes collectively provide a robust framework for understanding Christian identity, perseverance, and eschatological hope, echoing sentiments found throughout Paul's epistles, such as in [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ") regarding dying to sin and living to God, and [Colossians 3](/colossians/3 "Colossians 3 - New Life in Christ") on being raised with Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **faithful (Greek, _pistós'_):** From the root meaning "to persuade," this word describes something or someone that is objectively trustworthy, reliable, and worthy of belief. When applied to a "saying," it denotes a truth that is absolutely dependable and can be fully relied upon, standing firm against doubt or challenge. It signifies a statement that embodies truth and fidelity, reflecting God's own character.
* **saying (Greek, _lógos'_):** While broadly meaning "word" or "speech," in this context, *lógos* refers to a specific statement, doctrine, or message. Coupled with *pistós*, it indicates a definitive and authoritative declaration of Christian truth, often understood as a creedal formula or a core tenet of the faith that was widely accepted and perhaps recited in early Christian communities.
* **dead with (Greek, _synapothnḗskō'_):** This compound verb combines *syn-* (meaning "with" or "together") and *apothnḗskō* ("to die"). It signifies a profound, shared experience of death. In a spiritual sense, it refers to the believer's decisive identification with Christ's death on the cross, implying a death to the old self, to the power of sin, and to the world's dominion. It is not merely a physical death but a spiritual reality of being crucified with Christ.
* **live with (Greek, _syzáō'_):** Similarly, this compound verb combines *syn-* ("with" or "together") and *záō* ("to live"). It denotes a shared experience of life, specifically the believer's participation in Christ's resurrection life. This implies not only the promise of future eternal life and bodily resurrection but also a present spiritual vitality, a new way of living empowered by Christ's Spirit, characterized by righteousness and obedience to God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[It is] a faithful saying:"** This opening clause functions as a solemn declaration, introducing the profound truth that follows. The phrase *pistos logos* (faithful saying) emphasizes the absolute reliability, certainty, and importance of the statement. It signals that what is about to be declared is not a mere human opinion or a transient thought, but a trustworthy and foundational tenet of Christian faith, likely a recognized and cherished creedal statement within the early church. It calls for unwavering acceptance and confidence from the hearer.
* **"For if we be dead with [him],"** This conditional clause establishes the premise for the subsequent promise. The "if" (Greek: *ei*) here does not imply doubt but rather introduces a logical consequence based on a fulfilled condition. "Dead with [him]" refers to the believer's spiritual union with Christ in His crucifixion. It signifies a radical break from the dominion of sin, the old fallen nature, and the world's system. This "dying" is a spiritual reality, often associated with baptism as a symbolic representation of this union, where the believer's old self is put to death with Christ, signifying a definitive end to a life lived apart from God.
* **"we shall also live with [him]:"** This clause presents the glorious and certain outcome of being "dead with him." The "also" (Greek: *kai*) emphasizes the direct and inseparable correlation: just as believers share in Christ's death, they are guaranteed to share in His resurrection life. This "living with him" encompasses both a present spiritual reality—a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit, characterized by righteousness and fellowship with God—and the future hope of eternal life, bodily resurrection, and co-reigning with Christ in His kingdom. It is the ultimate assurance of salvation and glorification for those who have identified with Christ's atoning work.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that amplify its profound theological message. Central to its structure is **Parallelism**, specifically **Antithetical Parallelism**, where the concepts of "dead with him" and "live with him" are presented in direct opposition yet in inseparable relation, highlighting the transformative journey from spiritual death to spiritual life through Christ. This creates a balanced and memorable statement. The phrase "It is a faithful saying" functions as a **Credal Formula** or **Apostolic Aphorism**, marking the subsequent statement as a universally accepted, reliable truth within the early Christian community, lending it authority and weight. The concepts of being "dead with him" and "live with him" are powerful **Metaphors** for the spiritual transformation that occurs in salvation. They are not literal physical deaths or resurrections for the believer in the immediate sense, but rather represent a decisive break from the power of sin and the reception of new, divine life in union with Christ. This metaphorical language vividly communicates the radical nature of conversion and sanctification.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound theological core of 2 Timothy 2:11 lies in the doctrine of **union with Christ**, which is central to Pauline theology. This verse articulates the believer's mystical yet real participation in Christ's death and resurrection. It's not merely an intellectual assent to historical events, but a spiritual identification that transforms one's very being. Through faith, believers are united with Christ such that His death becomes their death to sin, and His resurrection becomes their source of new life. This union is the wellspring of sanctification, empowering believers to live righteously, and the guarantee of glorification, assuring them of future resurrection and eternal fellowship with Christ. It underscores that the Christian life is not simply about following rules, but about living out the reality of Christ's life within us, a life that has definitively broken with the old self and embraced the new creation in Him.

* [Romans 6:3-5](/romans/6-3-5 "Romans 6:3-5 - Buried and Raised with Christ in Baptism") – "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"
* [Galatians 2:20](/galatians/2-20 "Galatians 2:20 - Crucified with Christ, Christ Lives in Me") – "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
* [Colossians 3:1-4](/colossians/3-1-4 "Colossians 3:1-4 - Seeking Things Above, Our Life Hidden with Christ") – "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The "faithful saying" of 2 Timothy 2:11 offers profound practical guidance for every believer. To truly grasp that "if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]" is to embrace a radical reorientation of life. It calls us to a daily, conscious dying to self—to our sinful desires, our worldly ambitions, our pride, and our self-sufficiency. This spiritual crucifixion is not a one-time event but a continuous process of surrender, allowing the old nature to be put to death so that the new life in Christ can flourish. In turn, living with Him means walking in the power of His resurrection, experiencing His victory over sin and death in our everyday struggles. It empowers us to pursue righteousness, to love sacrificially, to forgive freely, and to persevere through trials with an eternal perspective. This verse provides immense comfort in suffering, reminding us that our present afflictions, when borne for Christ's sake, are not meaningless but are intrinsically linked to our future glory and eternal reign with Him. It anchors our hope, motivates our endurance, and shapes our identity as those who are truly alive in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to actively "die with Christ" today, letting go of self-will or worldly desires?**
* **How does the promise of "living with Christ" empower you to face current challenges or temptations?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more fully experience the reality of Christ's resurrection life in your daily walk?**
* **How does this "faithful saying" strengthen your hope and resolve when enduring hardship for your faith?**

### FAQ

**What does "faithful saying" (pistos logos) signify in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "**faithful saying**" (Greek: *pistos logos*) is a significant Pauline idiom, appearing five times in the Pastoral Epistles ([1 Timothy 1:15](/1_timothy/1-15 "1 Timothy 1:15 - Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners"), [1 Timothy 3:1](/1_timothy/3-1 "1 Timothy 3:1 - Desire for Overseer's Office"), [1 Timothy 4:9](/1_timothy/4-9 "1 Timothy 4:9 - This is a Trustworthy Saying"), [2 Timothy 2:11](/2_timothy/2-11 "2 Timothy 2:11 - The Faithful Saying of Death and Life with Christ"), [Titus 3:8](/titus/3-8 "Titus 3:8 - Maintain Good Works")). It signifies a statement that is absolutely trustworthy, reliable, and worthy of full acceptance by believers. In this context, it marks the following declaration ("For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]") as a core, foundational truth of the Christian faith, likely an early creedal confession or a commonly recited maxim that provided theological stability and encouragement to the early church. It underscores the divine origin and unwavering certainty of the truth being proclaimed.

**How are believers "dead with" Christ? Is this a literal death?**

Answer: Being "dead with [him]" (Greek: *synapothnḗskō*) refers not to a literal physical death for the believer, but to a profound spiritual reality. It signifies the believer's decisive identification and union with Christ in His crucifixion. When Christ died on the cross, He died to sin and its power once for all. Through faith, believers are spiritually united with Him in that death, meaning their "old self" (their former life dominated by sin and rebellion against God) has been crucified with Christ ([Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Our Old Man Crucified with Him")). This is a definitive break from the dominion of sin, the law, and the world. It means that the power of sin over the believer's life has been broken, and they are no longer enslaved to its desires. This spiritual death is the prerequisite for walking in newness of life.

**What does it mean to "live with" Christ now, and in the future?**

Answer: To "live with [him]" (Greek: *syzáō*) encompasses both a present spiritual reality and a future eschatological hope. **Presently**, it means that just as believers have died to sin with Christ, they have also been raised with Him to a new quality of life. This new life is empowered by the Holy Spirit, characterized by righteousness, holiness, and fellowship with God ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Walking in Newness of Life")). It's a life lived in union with the resurrected Christ, enabling believers to overcome sin, walk in obedience, and bear spiritual fruit. **In the future**, "living with him" refers to the ultimate promise of eternal life, bodily resurrection, and co-reigning with Christ in His glorious kingdom. It assures believers that their identification with Christ's suffering and death will culminate in their full participation in His triumph and glory for all eternity ([Colossians 3:4](/colossians/3-4 "Colossians 3:4 - When Christ Appears, We Appear in Glory")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "faithful saying" in 2 Timothy 2:11 finds its complete and ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very subject and object of this truth, for it is His unique death and resurrection that make this spiritual reality possible for humanity. Christ, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the sacrificial death necessary to break the power of sin and death over humanity. His resurrection from the dead, attested to by countless witnesses ([1 Corinthians 15:3-8](/1_corinthians/15-3-8 "1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - Christ's Death, Burial, and Resurrection Appearances")), is the irrefutable guarantee that death has been conquered and new life is available. Therefore, when believers are said to be "dead with [him]," it is because Christ Himself first died, bearing their sins in His body on the tree ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins on the Tree")). And when they "shall also live with [him]," it is because Christ was raised for their justification ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Christ Raised for Our Justification")) and now lives to intercede for them ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Lives to Make Intercession")). Thus, the entire "faithful saying" is a testament to Christ's finished work, His ongoing reign, and His promise to bring all who are united with Him into His eternal glory ([John 14:19](/john/14-19 "John 14:19 - Because I Live, You Also Will Live")). He is the life, the resurrection, and the very foundation upon which this profound truth stands.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 6:8

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Colossians 3:3

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:4

When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

1 Timothy 1:15

This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Romans 6:5

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:

2 Corinthians 4:10

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

John 14:19

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.