God’s Word Translation
2 Timothy 2:5
5Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by 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
3Join me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4Whoever serves in the military doesn’t get mixed up in non-military activities. This pleases his commanding officer. Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by the rules. 6A hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops. 7Understand what I’m saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
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“Try hard to enter through the narrow door. I can guarantee that many will try to enter, but they won’t succeed.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win.
- Philippians 1:15Some people tell the message about Christ because of their jealousy and envy. Others tell the message about him because of their good will.
- Colossians 1:29I work hard and struggle to do this while his mighty power works in me.
- Hebrews 12:4You struggle against sin, but your struggles haven’t killed you.
- 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith.
- Hebrews 2:7You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.
- James 1:12Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
- 1 Peter 5:4Then, when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
- Revelation 2:10Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. Your suffering will go on for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Revelation 3:11I am coming soon! Hold on to what you have so that no one takes your crown.
- Revelation 4:4Around that throne were 24 other thrones, and on these thrones sat 24 leaders wearing white clothes. They had gold 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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