Amplified Bible
2 Timothy 2:5
5And if anyone competes as an athlete [in competitive games], he is not crowned [with the wreath of victory] unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
- New International Version (NIV)Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.
- English Standard Version (ESV)An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
Context of 2 Timothy 2:5
3Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No soldier in active service gets entangled in the [ordinary business] affairs of civilian life; [he avoids them] so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve. And if anyone competes as an athlete [in competitive games], he is not crowned [with the wreath of victory] unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hard-working farmer [who labors to produce crops] ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7Think over the things I am saying [grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you insight and understanding in everything.
Read all of 2 Timothy 22 Timothy 2:5 word by word
ἐὰν δὲ καὶ ἀθλῇ τις, οὐ στεφανοῦται ἐὰν μὴ νομίμως ἀθλήσῃ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Timothy 2:5
- Luke 13:24“Strive to enter through the narrow door [force aside unbelief and the attractions of sin]; for many, I tell you, will try to enter [by their own works] and will not be able.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours!
- Philippians 1:15Some, it is true, are [actually] preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry [toward me—for no better reason than a competitive spirit or misguided ambition], but others out of goodwill and a loyal spirit [toward me].
- Colossians 1:29For this I labor [often to the point of exhaustion], striving with His power and energy, which so greatly works within me.
- Hebrews 12:4You have not yet struggled to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;
- 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error].
- Hebrews 2:7You have made him for a little while lower [in status] than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands;
- James 1:12Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
- 1 Peter 5:4And when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) appears, you will receive the [conqueror’s] unfading crown of glory.
- Revelation 2:10Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life.
- Revelation 3:11I am coming quickly. Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith].
- Revelation 4:4Twenty-four [other] thrones surrounded the throne; and seated on these thrones were twenty-four elders dressed in white clothing, with crowns of gold on their heads.
Commentaries on 2 Timothy 2:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5If a man also strive for masteries - ͅ · 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5And 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-7Paul quickly quotes a series of sayings about hard work, struggle, and reward.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. And--"Moreover." strive for masteries--"strive in the games" [Alford]; namely, the great national games of Greece. yet is he not crowned, except--even though he gain the victory. strive lawfully--observing all the conditions of both the contest (keeping within the bounds of the course and stript of his clothes) and the preparation for it, namely, as to self-denying diet, anointing, exercise, self-restraint, chastity, decorum, &c. (1Co 9:24-27).Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Timothy 2:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Timothy 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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