John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:5
And if a man also strive for masteries ,.... In the Olympic games, by running, wrestling, leaping, &c.; yet is he not crowned ; with a corruptible, fading crown, a crown made of herbs and leaves of trees, as parsley, laurel, &c.; except he strive lawfully ; according to the laws and rules fixed for those exercises; so no man that calls himself a Christian, minister, or any other, can expect the crown of life, the prize of the high calling of God, except he runs the race set... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:4
No man that warreth ,.... Who is a soldier, and gives himself up to military service, in a literal sense: the Vulgate Latin version, without any authority, adds, "to God"; as if the apostle was speaking of a spiritual warfare; whereas he is illustrating a spiritual warfare by a corporeal one; and observes, that no one, that is in a military state, entangleth himself with the affairs of this life ; with civil affairs, in distinction from military ones. The Roman soldiers might not follow... read more