2 Timothy 2:4 - Exposition

Soldier on service for man that warreth, A.V.; in for with, A.V.; enrolled him as for hath chosen him to be, A.V. Soldier on service ( στρατευόμενος ) ; as 1 Corinthians 9:7 (see, too. 1 Timothy 1:18 ). In Luke 3:14 στρατευόμενοι is rendered simply "soldiers," with margin, "Greek, soldiers on service. " There is no difference in meaning between the "man that warreth" in the A.V., and the "soldier on service" of the R.V. Affairs ( πραγματείσις ) ; only here in the New Testament, but common in the LXX . and in classical Greek, where it means, as here, "business," "affairs," "occupation," "trade," and the like, with the accessory idea of its being an "absorbing, engrossing pursuit." Enrolled him, etc. ( στρατολογήσαντι ) ; only here in the New Testament, not found in the LXX ., but common in classical Greek for "to levy an army," "to enlist soldiers." The great lesson here taught is that the warfare of the Christian soldier requires the same concentration of purpose as that of the earthly warrior, if he would win the victory.