English Standard Version
2 Timothy 2:5
5An athlete is not crowned 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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
- New Living Translation (NLT)And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.
Context of 2 Timothy 2:5
3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you 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. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
- Philippians 1:15Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.
- Colossians 1:29For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
- Hebrews 12:4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
- 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- Hebrews 2:7You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor,
- James 1:12Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
- 1 Peter 5:4And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
- Revelation 2:10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Revelation 3:11I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
- Revelation 4:4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries