2 Timothy 2:13

if we believe not R.V. if we are faithless giving both the play of words in the contrast -he abideth faithful" and the stronger force required for the climax; as -sovereignty" is better than -life," so a -faithless rejection" is worse than -the denials of our weaker moments," a Judas than a Peter. The word -seems always in the N.T. to imply not -untrueness," -unfaithfulness," but definitely -unbelief." Ellicott Cf. Mark 16:11; Mark 16:16.

he abideth faithful To His covenant and promise, cf. Romans 3:3. We should insert with mss. the conjunction, to connect the final clause with this; for he cannot deny himself. The balance of probability is strongly in favour of this clause being part of the quotation, if only from the rhetorical weakness of addingsuch a tail piece, however true and weighty. The aorist infinitive represents the idea of the verb in itself simply and absolutely, free from any limit or condition of time; -for deny Himself He cannot." So in Mark 15:31 -save Himself He cannot."

We may render the passage thus, to shew its balanced force and rhythm:

-If with Him we died,

Life with Him we shall have won;

If we suffer at His side,

We shall share His throne;

With Him Yes, here and ever.

If we Him deny,

We shall be by Him denied;

If we leave Him faithlessly,

Faithful doth He bide;

Deny Himself No, never."