The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;if we endure, we will also reign with him;if we deny him, he also will deny us;if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself (2 Tim 2:11-13).
Despite its initial appearance of simplicity, the structure of these verses is incredibly impressive. Paul writes these contrasting clauses in great order. In the first line, he aligns death with Christ to life with him; our perseverance for him with his devotion to us; our rejection of him with his rejection of us. But the power comes in the last line, where Paul is no longer comparing ideas. There is a difference in the final clauses. If we fail to follow him, he will still pursue us. This may seem confusing since in the line prior, Paul says that if we deny Christ, he also will deny us. But there is a difference. Christ denying us is part of his justice. His character requires him to deny us at the final hour if we remain apart from him. BUT his character also requires him to love us forever. For that is what God is—1 John 4:8.
... [The Lord's servant must be] patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness (2 Tim 2:24-25).
Not "[The Lord's servant must] patiently endure evil" but "[The Lord's servant must be] patiently enduring evil"—further indicates that we will face evil.
