2 Timotius 2:13

2:13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself. ¹ 

2 Timotius 2:16

2:16 But avoid profane chatter, ²  because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, ³ 

[2:13]  ¹ sn If we are unfaithful…he cannot deny himself. This could be (1) a word of warning (The Lord will exact punishment; he cannot deny his holiness) or (2) a word of hope (Because of who he is, he remains faithful to us despite our lapses). The latter is more likely, since Paul consistently cites God’s faithfulness as a reassurance, not as a warning (cf. especially Rom 3:3; also 1 Cor 1:9; 10:13; 2 Cor 1:18; 1 Thess 5:24; 2 Thess 3:3).

[2:16]  ² sn Profane chatter was apparently a characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus (cf. 1 Tim 1:3-4; 4:7; 6:20).

[2:16]  ³ tn Grk “they [who engage in it] will progress even more in ungodliness.”