Note 24 at 2 Tim. 2:12: This is the same thing Paul said in Romans 8:18, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Keeping this in mind will minimize any sacrifices we have to make. Loosing sight of our eternal reward will increase the cost of our sacrifices.

Note 25 at 2 Tim. 2:12: As explained in note 3 at Matthew 10:33, p. 226, there are different degrees of denial. Peter denied the Lord in one sense, but it wasn't a total rejection from which he found no repentance. The Apostle Paul denied the Lord, which he called blasphemy (1 Tim. 1:13), but he received mercy because he did it ignorantly in unbelief. Therefore, we can see that the heart attitude behind the action is the critical thing.

This verse is not speaking of a simple failure in some area of our Christian walk. The next verse clarifies that. If we just fail to believe the way we should, the Lord remains faithful to us. He can't deny Himself (see note 26 at v. 13).

The NIV translation further bears this out because it uses the word "disown" for what the KJV translates as deny. This isn't speaking of some sin that a person who loves God commits. It is talking about total rejection.

This is a warning to those who knowingly and despitefully reject the Lord. If that happens the Lord will also reject them (see note 5 at Acts 5:5, p. 595; note 4 at Gal. 4:11, p. 1074; note 6 at Rom. 1:28, p. 746).