Faith and the Gospel
2 Timothy 2:13
If we believe not, yet he stays faithful: he cannot deny himself.


I. UNBELIEF IS A SIN. What more in the holy letters checked, condemned? Does not Christ dissuade from it? His apostles forbid it? and God everywhere commands the contrary? May not arguments be produced, if any doubt of it, to confirm, ratify it?

II. A MAN MAY NOT HAVE FAITH YET POSSESS THE GOSPEL. To try the truth of thy faith, let these two rules following be well weighed of thee: First, he who hath faith receives Christ, as the wife does her husband. He will have Him and no other from this time forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health, according to God's holy ordinance, till (and after that) death shall them part. In the second place, how does thy faith work? Faith, if true and sound, will embrace Christ, purify the heart, lift up the wing of thy soul and cause thee to soar on high. It will do what God enjoins, though it strip him of reputation, promotion, life and all.

III. IN PREACHING THE WORD MINISTERS ARE NOT TO EXCLUDE THEMSELVES.

IV. THE LORD IS FAITHFUL.

V. THE LORD IS WITHOUT CHANGE.

(J. Barlow, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

WEB: If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can't deny himself."




Eternal Faithfulness Unaffected by Human Unbelief
Top of Page
Top of Page