2 Timothy 2:6 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 2:6-7

2:6-7 It is the toiling husbandman who must be first to receive his share of the fruits. Think of what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things. To represent the Christian life Paul has used the picture of the soldier and of the athlete, and now he uses the picture of the farmer. It is not the lazy husbandman, but the husbandman who toils, who must be the first to receive the share of the fruits of the harvest. What then are the characteristics of the husbandman... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:6

The husbandman that laboureth ,.... In manuring his ground, in ploughing, in sowing, in weeding, in reaping, &c.; must be first partaker of the fruits ; of his labour, before others; and the design may be to observe that the ministers of the word ought first to be partakers of the grace of God, the fruits of the Spirit, and of the Gospel, and rightly and spiritually understand it, before they preach it to others; or that such who labour in the word and doctrine, ought in the first... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 2:6

The husbandman that laboureth - That is: The husbandman must first till his ground before he can expect a crop; and he must till it according to the proper rules of agriculture, else he cannot have a crop. The combatant must fight and conquer, and fight according to the laws of the agones, before he can be crowned; so the Christian minister must labor in the spiritual vineyard, and labor too under the eye and according to the direction of his Master, before he can expect that crown of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 2:6

Verse 6 6The husbandman must labor before he receive the fruits I am well aware that others render this passage differently; and I acknowledge that they translate, word for word, what Paul has written in Greek; but he who shall carefully examine the context will assent to my view. (161) Besides, the use of ( κοπιῶντα) to labor instead of ( κοπιᾷν)to labor, is a well-known Greek idiom; for Greek writers often make use of the participle in place of the infinitive. (162) The meaning therefore,... 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 2:6

The first to partake for first partaker, A.V. That laboureth ( τὸν κοπιῶντα ). Let not Timothy think to shirk labour and yet enjoy its fruits. (For κοπιάω , see note on 1 Timothy 5:17 .) read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Timothy 2:6

The husbandman that laboureth - The margin is, “labouring first, must be partaker.” The idea, according to the translation in the text, is, that there is a fitness or propriety (δει dei) that the man who cultivates the earth, should enjoy the fruits of his labor. See the same image explained in the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:10. But if this be the meaning here, it is not easy to see why the apostle introduces it. According to the marginal reading, the word “first” is introduced in connection with... read more

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

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Timothy 2:6-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 2:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 2:6

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 2:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Timothy 2:6

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