2 Timothy 2:5 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:1-7

Here Paul encourages Timothy to constancy and perseverance in his work: Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 Tim. 2:1. Observe, Those who have work to do for God must stir up themselves to do it, and strengthen themselves for it. Being strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus may be understood in opposition to the weakness of grace. Where there is the truth of grace there must be a labouring after the strength of grace. As our trials increase, we have need to grow stronger and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Timothy 2:5

2:5 And if anyone engages in an athletic contest, he does not win the crown unless he observes the rules of the game. Paul has just used the picture of the soldier to represent the Christian, and now he uses two other pictures--those of the athlete and of the toiling husbandman. He uses the same three pictures close together in 1 Corinthians 9:6-7 ; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 . Paul says that the athlete does not win the crown of victory unless he observes the rules of the contest. There... read more

John Gill

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 2:5

If a man also strive for masteries - Εαν δε και αθλῃ τις· If a man contend in the public games - the Olympic or Isthmian games among the Greeks, so often alluded to and particularly explained in the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 , to which the reader is referred for a full illustration of this verse. Is he not crowned - Though he may have conquered, except he strive lawfully - unless he enter according to the rules of the athlete, and act as these direct. No man, however zealous he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 2:5

Verse 5 5And if any one strive He now speaks of perseverance, that no man may think that he has done enough when he has been engaged in one or two conflicts. He borrows a comparison from wrestlers, not one of whom obtains the prize till he has been victorious in the end. Thus he says: “In a race all run, but one obtaineth the prize; run so that ye may obtain.” (1 Corinthians 9:24.) If any man, therefore, wearied with the conflict, immediately withdraw from the arena to enjoy repose, he will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Hardship in connection with the Christian ministry. I. PRELIMINARY EXHORTATION . 1 . As to personal strength . "Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." As the apostle's power of working was already much crippled by close imprisonment, he naturally felt anxious regarding the future of Christ's cause. In calling Timothy his son, he does not formally name him as his successor. At the same time, he may be regarded as looking to him as one... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:1-14

Endurance the lot of Christ's ministers. Continual endurance of evil, whether directed specially against himself, or generally thwarting the cause which he has most at heart, is the ordinary lot of the minister of Jesus Christ exercising his ministry in an evil world. And in order to be ready to encounter this evil, actively or passively, as the case may require, a complete concentration of purpose on the fulfilment of his ministry is absolutely required. If the heart is divided between... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:3-7

The apostle bespeaks from Timothy a copartnership in affliction, which would have its due reward. I. THE DUTY OF SUFFERING HARDSHIP IN THE GOSPEL . "Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ." 1 . The minister is a soldier of Christ, enrolled by him, trained by him, armed by him, supported by him, as the Captain of our salvation. The ministry is a warfare, involving, not only the "good fight of faith," but an increasing struggle against false teachers. 2... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:5

Also a man for a man also, A.V.; contend in the games for strive for masteries, A.V.; he is not for yet is he not, A.V.; have contended for strive, A.V. Contend in the games ( ἀθλῇ ); only here in the New Testament, and not found in the LXX ., but common in classical Greek. It means "to contend for ἄθλον " the prize, to be an "athlete." This is also the meaning of the A.V. "strive for masteries." "To strive," means properly to contend with an antagonist, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Timothy 2:5

And if a man also strive for masteries - As in the Grecian games. See this favorite illustration of Paul explained in the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:24 ff.Yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully - In conformity with the rules of the games. See Grotius, in loc. No one could obtain the prize unless he had complied with all the laws of the games, and had thus given to those with whom he contended, a fair opportunity to succeed. “In those contests, he who transgressed the rules in the least... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:1-7

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Timothy 2:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 2:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 2:5

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:3-7

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Timothy 2:5

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