2 Timothy 2:11

It is a faithful saying Literally, Faithful is the saying, as in 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Timothy 4:9; Titus 3:8. See note on the first passage and Appendix, E. To close the argument, this rhythmical, perhaps liturgical, strain is quoted. It is introduced by -for," as is the quotation in Acts 17:28. The R.V. by printing -For" in the text and -for" in the margin thus incline to regarding the conjunction as part of the quotation. If it be not part, it will still have quite a fitting sense, as often in classical Greek -indeed" or -in fact" gives a better translation than -for"; cf. Donaldson's Greek Grammar, p. 605.

For if we be dead withhim] Read, For if we died with him. It is most natural to refer this to the dying with Christ in Baptism, Colossians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, where the aorists are equally to be observed. This would be the thought in the original framing of such a Christian hymn as this may have been. But St Paul's baptism was no old ceremony and out of date; he was -always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus" 2 Corinthians 4:10; just as the English Prayer Book Service bids Christians after their baptism -die from sin, continually mortifying all evil and corrupt affections." Hence he can well use the phrase so as to cover his -hardship even unto bonds," and his -daily dying" to -fill up the sufferings of Christ."

we shall … live withhim] in the -eternal glory."