2 Timothy 2:5

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

3Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. And if someone likewise competes as an athlete, he is not crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

2 Timothy 2:5 word by word

ἐὰν δὲ καὶ ἀθλῇ τις, οὐ στεφανοῦται ἐὰν μὴ νομίμως ἀθλήσῃ.Read the interlinear

• And ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• someoneτιςtis · oneG5100
• likewiseκαίkai · andG2532
• competesἀθλέωathleō · to competeG118
• crownedστεφανόωstephanoō · to crownG4737
• unlessμήmē · notG3361
• accordingνομίμωςnomimōs · lawfullyG3545

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 those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
• Philippians 1:15Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from goodwill;
• Colossians 1:29For this purpose I also labor, striving according to His power which works mightily within me.
• Hebrews 12:4You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;
• 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
• Hebrews 2:7You have made him for a little while lower than angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor;
• James 1:12Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord 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, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
• Revelation 3:11I am coming quickly; hold firmly to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
• Revelation 4:4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and 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

• Crown
• Minister, Christian
• Parables
• Righteous

In the dictionaries

• Acknowledge
• Approved
• Commit
• Deny
• Eat
• Endure
• Entangle
• Eternal
• Faithful
• Foolish

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