New King James Version
2 Timothy 2:5
5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he 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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)An athlete 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
3You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all 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“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to 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 one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
- Philippians 1:15Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
- Colossians 1:29To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
- Hebrews 12:4You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
- 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- Hebrews 2:7You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands.
- James 1:12Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when 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 crown of glory that does not fade away.
- Revelation 2:10Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Revelation 3:11Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
- Revelation 4:4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries