What does 2 Timothy 2:12 mean?

Paul continues his hymn from verse 11, adding the concepts of stamina and authority.

Endurance here is from the Greek word hypomenomen, and includes the idea of "remaining, lasting, enduring or suffering." This is a theme found throughout 2 Timothy. Those who endure are the true believers who will also reign with Christ in the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:6). This endurance is proof of their salvation—those who are saved will always endure, and those who do not were never saved in the first place. The Greek words for "endure" and "reign" in this line, hypomenomen and symbasileusomen, share the same ending as "died" and "live" in the previous verse. This creates a pattern of four rhyming words in two lines for easy recall by readers and hearers in the original language.

The next phrase, "if we deny him, he also will deny us," presents a contrast with those who endure. If a believer endures, he or she reigns. If a person denies Christ, He will deny eternal life to them. The idea is that of denouncing or rejecting, not simply closing a door to someone. God rejects those who renounce or reject Christ (John 3:18, 36).