John Calvin Commentary 2 Timothy 3:12

"Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." — 2 Timothy 3:12 (ASV)

And all who wish to live a godly life. Having mentioned his own persecutions, he also now adds that nothing has happened to him that does not await all the godly. He says this partly so that believers may prepare themselves to submit to this condition, and partly so that good people may not view him with suspicion because of the persecutions he endures from wicked individuals.

Indeed, it frequently happens that the distresses to which people are subjected lead to unfavorable opinions about them, for anyone whom people regard with aversion is often declared by the common people to be hated by God.

By this general statement, therefore, Paul includes himself among the children of God and, at the same time, exhorts all God’s children to prepare for enduring persecutions. For if this condition is laid down for all who wish to live a godly life in Christ, those who wish to be exempt from persecutions must necessarily renounce Christ.

It is futile for us to try to detach Christ from His cross, for it may be said to be natural for the world to hate Christ, even in His members. Now, hatred is accompanied by cruelty, and from this, persecutions arise.

In short, let us understand that we are Christians on this condition: that we will be liable to many tribulations and various conflicts.

But, it is asked, must all people be martyrs? For it is evident that there have been many godly people who have never suffered banishment, imprisonment, flight, or any kind of persecution. I reply that Satan does not always persecute Christ’s servants in only one way.

Yet it is absolutely unavoidable that all of them will have the world as their enemy in some form or other, so that their faith may be tested and their steadfastness proven. For Satan, who is the continual enemy of Christ, will never allow anyone to be at peace during their whole life, and there will always be wicked people who are thorns in our sides.

Moreover, as soon as zeal for God is shown by a believer, it kindles the rage of all ungodly people. Although they may not have a drawn sword, they still vent their venom, whether by murmuring, slandering, causing disturbances, or by other methods.

Accordingly, although believers are not all exposed to the same assaults and do not engage in the same battles, they still have a common warfare and will never be entirely at peace and exempt from persecutions.