What does 2 Timothy 2:10 mean?
Because the Word of God cannot be limited like a physical person can, Paul is willing to "endure" whatever he has to for the sake of saving souls. Paul would suffer in any way necessary for those who would come to faith in Christ. The elect referred to those who were believers or would become believers. Paul addressed election in his letter to the Romans written about a decade earlier (Romans 8:33; 9:11; 11:7, 28). Paul considered himself a servant to the elect: "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth" (Titus 1:1).The destiny of those who are elect includes two aspects. First, it means obtaining salvation during this life, which brings the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This gives believers the power of that Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:7). Second, being one of God's elect includes a glorious eternity with the Lord. These two aspects were also developed by John, as he notes the abundant life of the believer now (John 10:10), and the eternal life of the believer with the Lord in heaven (John 3:16).