2 Timothy 2:8

Authorized King James Version

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Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Original Language Analysis

Μνημόνευε Remember G3421
Μνημόνευε Remember
Strong's: G3421
Word #: 1 of 13
to exercise memory, i.e., recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse
Ἰησοῦν that Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦν that Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 2 of 13
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Χριστὸν Christ G5547
Χριστὸν Christ
Strong's: G5547
Word #: 3 of 13
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
ἐγηγερμένον was raised G1453
ἐγηγερμένον was raised
Strong's: G1453
Word #: 4 of 13
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
ἐκ from G1537
ἐκ from
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 5 of 13
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
νεκρῶν the dead G3498
νεκρῶν the dead
Strong's: G3498
Word #: 6 of 13
dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)
ἐκ from G1537
ἐκ from
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 7 of 13
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
σπέρματος the seed G4690
σπέρματος the seed
Strong's: G4690
Word #: 8 of 13
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
Δαβίδ, of David G1138
Δαβίδ, of David
Strong's: G1138
Word #: 9 of 13
david, the israelite king
κατὰ according to G2596
κατὰ according to
Strong's: G2596
Word #: 10 of 13
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εὐαγγέλιόν gospel G2098
εὐαγγέλιόν gospel
Strong's: G2098
Word #: 12 of 13
a good message, i.e., the gospel
μου my G3450
μου my
Strong's: G3450
Word #: 13 of 13
of me

Analysis & Commentary

Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel. Paul grounds his exhortations in gospel core truth. The command "Remember" (mnēmoneue, μνημόνευε) means continually call to mind, keep before consciousness. Gospel truth must constantly shape thinking, not remain abstract theology. Paul specifies two crucial facts about Jesus Christ: His humanity ("of the seed of David") and His resurrection ("raised from the dead").

"Of the seed of David" (ek spermatos Dauid, ἐκ σπέρματος Δαυίδ) affirms Jesus's genuine humanity and Messianic identity. The Davidic covenant promised an eternal King from David's line (2 Samuel 7:12-16), fulfilled in Jesus. This counters proto-Gnostic denials of Jesus's real humanity and establishes His legitimacy as Israel's Messiah. "Raised from the dead" (egēgermenon ek nekrōn, ἐγηγερμένον ἐκ νεκρῶν) uses perfect passive participle—Christ has been raised and remains in resurrection life.

Paul calls this "my gospel" (to euangelion mou, τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν μου)—not that he invented it, but that he personally received it by revelation (Galatians 1:11-12) and faithfully proclaimed it. His imprisonment resulted from preaching this gospel. Remembering Christ's resurrection emboldens suffering—if Christ conquered death, present afflictions lose terror.

Historical Context

The resurrection was Christianity's most distinctive and controversial claim. Jewish Sadducees denied resurrection entirely. Greeks considered bodily resurrection absurd—they prized soul over body, viewing physical existence as inferior prison. Paul's preaching at Athens provoked mockery when he mentioned resurrection (Acts 17:32). Yet resurrection was non-negotiable gospel core (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Early Christians faced intense pressure to compromise this "offensive" doctrine.

Questions for Reflection

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