“Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel” (2 Timothy 2:8).
Although it may not seem obvious, this passage is likely to attract the attention of two distinct audiences.
First, we’re told that Jesus Christ was a descendant of Israel’s King David. Unlike those who devoted themselves to the “…myths and endless genealogies” mentioned earlier, this information holds genuine value for those who are familiar with God’s promise to David regarding the Savior who was to come through his lineage…
“For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever” (2 Samuel 7:12–13 NLT).
God later confirmed this promise through the angel Gabriel as he spoke with Mary in advance of Jesus’ birth…
“…behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31-33).
Now let’s consider a different type of individual- a non-Jewish person with little interest in Jesus’ family tree. That person might be more curious about the statement that follows: “…(Jesus Christ) was raised from the dead according to my gospel.” Those who hold no cultural appreciation for the lineage of David and its place in Jesus’ ancestry may be more interested in the account of a man who rose from the dead.
So this message holds an appeal for Jewish and non-Jewish people alike. One commentary details the importance of this passage in a larger context,..
“False teachers were a problem in Ephesus (see Act_20:29-30; 1Ti_1:3-11). At the heart of false teaching is an incorrect view of Christ. In Timothy’s day many asserted that Christ was divine but not human—God but not man. These days we often hear that Jesus was human but not divine—man but not God. Either view destroys the good news that Jesus Christ has taken our sins on himself and has reconciled us to God. In this verse, Paul firmly states that Jesus is fully man (‘a descendant of King David’) and fully God (“raised from the dead’). This is an important doctrine for all Christians.” (1)
(1) Life Application Study Bible [2 Timothy 2:8] Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved.