how are you using this to defend OSAS.
First, It's simply what the Text says. There is no Scripture that I disagree with, including this one. I was asked a question about it because OSNAS brought it up.
But (as with all Texts) here's how it is supportive of OSAS:
2 Timothy 2:11-13 (NASB)
It is a trustworthy statement:
For if we 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.
It (all four IF THENs) form a trustworthy statement (one single statement, not four). To snip one of the IF THENs away from the others, is clearly to take it out of its context.
Claiming; "if we endure, we will also reign with Him" is no more a trustworthy statement than "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son", is a trustworthy statement. Both are 1/2 truths. But true, nonetheless.
Paul literally requires his readers to understand all four IF THENs as one big trustworthy statement. They go together.
Requiring 'endurance' prior to 'reigning' only makes sense in light of requiring 'death' prior to 'life'.
2 Timothy 2:10 (NASB) For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
Three points about the context:
1. What does Paul (not me or you) mean by "endure"???
2. He's talking about others also "obtaining" salvation, not himself or Timothy or us maintaining our salvation. The reason Paul "endured all things" was NOT to maintain his salvation. It was so others could also obtain theirs!
3. Salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, is eternal glory.
So what does Paul mean by "endure"???
The word literally means to "remain behind".
http://biblehub.com/greek/5278.htm
'Hypo-abide'. Ever heard of 'hyper-grace'??? Well here's a word for you then:
"Endure" = hyper-abide. Literally it was the very thing Paul was doing. He "remained behind" so that others could also be saved.
Ever wonder why God doesn't zap us to Him at our conversion??? Here's why. So that we "endure". So that we remain behind so that others might also obtain salvation.
So reading Paul's whole trustworthy statement with this in mind:
For
if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; [IF we obtain salvation in Him, THEN we will (not might) live with Him]
If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
[IF we remain behind THEN we will also reign with Him]
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
[IF we deny Him THEN he also will deny us;
IF we do not obtain salvation in Him THEN he also will not save us]
If we are faithless, He remains faithful,
[IF we are
unconvinced THEN he abides faithful]
569 (apistéō) reveals a person is unconvinced when they should be persuaded by what the Lord has done (offered).
for (in otherwords)
He cannot deny Himself.
All four IF THENs can be summarized with "He cannot deny Himself".
The only real question is, has He made His abode in you (or not).