Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Timothy 2:13

"if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself." — 2 Timothy 2:13 (ASV)

If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful. This cannot mean that if we live in sin, He will certainly save us, as if He had made any promise to the elect, or formed any purpose that He would save them, regardless of their conduct; for:

1. He had just said that if we deny Him, He will deny us; and
2. There is no such promise in the Bible, and no such purpose has been formed. The promise is that he who is a believer shall be saved, and there is no purpose to save any but those who lead holy lives.

The meaning must be that if we are unbelieving and unfaithful, Christ will remain true to His word, and we cannot hope to be saved.

The apostle's object is evidently to rouse Timothy to fidelity in performing his duty and to encourage him to endure trials, with the assurance that we cannot hope to escape if we are not faithful to the cause of the Savior.

This interpretation aligns with the design the apostle had in view.

He cannot deny himself. This implies that it would be a denial of His very nature to save those who are unfaithful.

He is holy; how then can He save one who is unholy? His very nature is purity; how then can He save one who has no purity?

Therefore, let no one suppose that because he is elected, he is safe if he lives in sin. The electing purpose of God indeed makes salvation sure, but it is only for those who lead righteous lives.

Nothing would be more dishonorable for God than to resolve to save a man who lived habitually in sin; and if that were the doctrine of election, it would deserve all the opprobrium that has ever been heaped upon it.