2 Timothy 2:5

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. AND, [ De (G1161)] - 'Moreover.' STRIVE FOR MASTERIES - in the great national games of Greece. YET IS HE NOT CROWNED, EXCEPT - even though he conquer. STRIVE LAWFULLY - observing the conditions of the contest (keeping within the bounds of the course and stript of his clothes), and also of the preparation for it-namely, as to self-denying diet, anointing, exercise, chastity, etc. (1 Corinthians 9:24.) As a soldier, the believer is one of many; as an athlete, he has to wage an individual struggle, and that continually, bearing the discipline of the preparation as well as the conflict....

5_And if any one strive _He now speaks of perseverance, that no man may think that he has done enough when he has been engaged in one or two conflicts. He borrows a comparison from wrestlers, not one of whom obtains the prize till he has been victorious in the end. Thus he says: “In a race all run, but one obtaineth the prize; run so that ye may obtain.” (1 Corinthians 9:24.) If any man, therefore, wearied with the conflict, immediately withdraw from the arena to enjoy repose, he will be condemned for indolence instead of being crowned. Thus, because Christ wishes us to strive during our whole life, he who gives way in the middle of the course deprives himself of honor, even though he may have begun valiantly. To _strive lawfully _is to pursue the contest in such a manner and to such an extent as the law requires,

1-7 As our trials increase, we need to grow stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. This is opposed to our being strong in our own strength. All Christians, but especially ministers, must be faithful to their Captain, and resolute in his cause. The great care of a Christian must be to please Christ. We are to strive to get the mastery of our lusts and corruptions, but we cannot expect the prize unless we observe the laws. We must take care that we do good in a right manner, that our good may not be spoken evil of. Some who are active, spend their zeal about outward forms and doubtful disputations. But those who strive lawfully shall be crowned at last. If we would partake the fruits, we must labour; if we would gain the prize, we must run the race. We must do the will of God, before we receive the promises, for wh...

Verse 5. _IF A MAN ALSO STRIVE FOR MASTERIES_] εαν δε και αθλη τις. _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, 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 athletae, and act as these direct. No man, however zealous he may have been, is to expect the _Well done, good and faithful servant_, from Jesus Christ, unless he have _laboured in the word and_ _doctrine_, preached the _truth as it is in Jesus, and built up the_ _Church upon_ Him who is its _only_ FOUNDATION....

AND 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 who transgressed the rules in the least matter, not only failed of the prize, even though the apparent victor, but was sometimes disgraced and punished.” Pictorial Bible. So the apostle here represents the Christian minister as engaged in a struggle or conflict for the crown. He says that he could not hope to win it unless he should comply with all the laws

EXPOSITION 2 TIMOTHY 2:1 _Child _for _son_, A.V.; _strengthened _for _strong, _A.V. BE STRENGTHENED (ἐνδυναμοῦ)_; _more exactly (as Huther), _become strong, _or, which is the same thing, _strengthen thyself; _implying, perhaps, though gently expressed, some previous weakness, as m Hebrews 11:34, "From weakness were made strong;" where the image seems to be that of recovery from sickness. In Ephesians 6:10, however (ἐνδυναμοῦσθε ἐν Κυρίῳ), there is no evidence of preceding weakness, but only a call to use the strength they had; and it may be so here too. The strength, Timothy is reminded, by which he was to f

AND IF A MAN ALSO STRIVE FOR MASTERIES,.... In the Olympic games, by running, wrestling, leaping, c. YET IS HE NOT CROWNED with a corruptible, fading crown, a crown made of herbs and leaves of trees, as parsley, laurel, c. EXCEPT HE STRIVE LAWFULLY according to the laws and rules fixed for those exercises; so no man that calls himself a Christian, minister, or any other, can expect the crown of life, the prize of the high calling of God, except he runs the race set before him, in the right way; looking to Christ, the mark, pressing through all difficulties, towards the prize, and holds on and out unto the end....

2 Timothy 1:1. _Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also._ This is the true apostolical succession,-one minister brings another to Christ, and then charges that other to train other preachers and teachers to carry on the blessed work of evangelization. 2 Timothy 1:3. _Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier._ The man who has given himself wholly to the service of Christ must not undertake any other business that would prevent his giving his

II. FAITH'S CONFLICT AND THE BELIEVER'S PATH CHAPTER 2 _ 1. The apostle's charge (2 Timothy 2:1)_ 2. As soldier and husbandman (2 Timothy 2:3) 3. Identification with Christ (2 Timothy 2:8) 4. Exhortation and warning (2 Timothy 2:14) 5. The great House (2 Timothy 2:19) 6. The believer's path (2 Timothy 2:23) 2 T

(_d_) 2 Timothy 2:1. THE APPEAL RENEWED. Thus enriched in his ordination, challenged by Paul's example, and warned by the Asian defection, Timothy, for all his work, must find continual strength in his _Divine_ equipment. He must (_a)_ conserve the truth by depositing it with trustworthy teachers (2 Timothy 2:2), and (_b)_ face the hardships involved in his present administration (2 Timothy 2:3). In every sphere success demands endurance and self-discipline. This is true in _secular_ affairs: the successful soldier is restricted from pleasures, the successful athlete restricted by rules, the successful farmer restricted in his ease ...