Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 2:5
And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
5. And if a man also strive for masteries ] The ‘also’ is placed by R.V. before ‘a man’ instead of after as A.V.; correctly, though awkwardly; as implying not that a man may perhaps beside soldiering also contend in the games, which is the proper inference from the position of ‘also’ in A.V., but that ‘there is first the case of a soldier, and there is also the case of an athlete.’ The verb, from which comes our ‘athlete,’ occurs here only in N.T., though the substantive in the derived sense of ‘conflict’ occurs in Heb 10:32, ‘a great conflict of sufferings.’ Render, and if again a man contend in the games. We have had the illustration from the race-course and its ‘games’ in 1Ti 6:12, and shall have it again lower down, ch. 2Ti 4:7. As Ephesians 6 is the chief soldier’s illustration, so 1Co 9:25 sqq. is the chief athlete’s, in St Paul. The foot-race is used very strikingly also, Heb 12:1. Cf. Appendix, K.
except he strive lawfully ] Except he have kept the rules of the contest. ‘The six statues of Jupiter at Olympia were made from the fines levied on athletes who had not contended lawfully.’ Pausan. 2Ti 2:21. (Bp Wordsworth.) Among the rules of the Olympic games were the following; competitors had to prove to the judges that they were freemen, of pure Hellenic blood, not disfranchised, or convicted of sacrilege, and that they had gone through the ten months’ preparatory training; they, their fathers, brothers, and trainers had to take oath that they would be guilty of no misconduct in the contests; and they had then a month’s preliminary exercises in the gymnasium at Elis under the superintendence of the judges. The ‘games’ included longer and shorter foot-races for men and for boys, chariot-races, horse-races, wrestling, boxing; the pentathlon, a combination of leaping, flat-racing, discus-throwing, spear-throwing, and wrestling; and the pancration, a union of boxing and wrestling. ‘Without interruption for upwards of a thousand years the full moon after the summer solstice every fourth year witnessed the celebration of these games. b.c. 776 a.d. 394.’ Wordsworth, Greece, p. 315.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And if a man also strive for masteries – As in the Grecian games. See this favorite illustration of Paul explained in the notes at 1Co 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 by which it is conferred; unless he should subdue every improper propensity, and make an effort like that evinced by the combatants at the Olympic games; compare the notes at 1Co 9:26-27.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
2Ti 2:5
Not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Lawful striving
The athlete who competes in the games does not receive a crown, unless he has contended law fully, i.e., according to rule ( ). Even if he seem to be victorious, he nevertheless is not crowned, because he has violated the well-known conditions. And what is the rule, what are the conditions of the Christians contest? If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. If we wish to share Christs victory, we must be ready to share His suffering. No cross, no crown. To try to withdraw oneself from all hardship and annoyance, to attempt to avoid all that is painful or disagreeable, is a violation of the rules of the arena. This, it would appear, Timothy was in some respects tempted to do; and timidity and despondency must not be allowed to get the upper hand. Not that what is painful, or distasteful, or unpopular, is necessarily right; but it is certainly not necessarily wrong; and to try to avoid everything that one dislikes is to ensure being fatally wrong. (A. Plummer, D. D.)
Lawful diet
The phrase lawfully which is found in precisely the same connection in Galen (Comm. in Hippocrates 1.15) was technical, half-medical, and half belonging to the training schools of athletes, and implied the observance of all rules of life prior to the contest as well as during it. Failure to keep to the appointed diet and discipline, no less than taking an unfair advantage at the time, excluded the competitor from his reward. (E. H. Plumptre, D. D.)
Regulations for athletic contests
The following were among the regulations of the athletic contests. Every candidate was required to be of pure Hellenic descent. He was disqualified by certain moral and political offences. He was obliged to take an oath that he had been ten months in training, and that he would violate none of the regulations. Bribery was punished by a fine. The candidate was obliged to practise again in the gymnasium immediately before the games, under the direction of judges or umpires, who were themselves required to be instructed for ten months in the details of the games. (Conybeare and Howson.)
Lawful striving
I. A Christian is a striver.
1. In the breast and forefront of this strife thou must contend with ignorance, which adversary, though his eyes be put out, and he be as blind as a mill-horse, yet his strength is like behemoths, his weapons Goliahs, his blows the batterings of a tearing cannon; for if this giant be not quelled, killed, he will lead you into mazes of error.
2. This monster being put to flight, you are to encounter with aged superstition.
3. Close after idolatry follows covetousness.
4. At the heels of every striver you shall have sloth and idleness.
II. Eternal life is called a crown. For the worth and excellency of it.
III. The lawful striver shall be crowned. (J. Barlow, D. D.)
The lawful strife
Man likes to choose his own way; but the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ has marked out a way for him: hence one reason at least of his unwillingness to go along it. The text tells us that we must put off this perverseness of the old man, and put on all the obedience of the new man, following the direction which the Lord hath given. Mans will is to have no change of his ways, no sorrow for the past, no amendment (but he will not call it amendment) for the future. All this is too humbling to his pride, too much of a curb upon his self-will. But our Lords precept is repentance: you must come to Me, and receive that which I give along the road of repentance. The making repentance a step, and not a course, merely a gate of introduction, and not a road also of daily conduct, is one of the short cuts by which men think to arrive at the prize, without going through all the prescribed rules of the struggle. And not only must we bring our minds to submit to the rules which our Lord hath laid down, but also our hearts to understand them: indeed, we must first understand them before we can truly accept them. We cannot in any case effectually bind ourselves to a duty of which we know not the extent; we cannot be sure of accomplishing a thing of which we have not counted the cost. Now our blessed Lord bath set before us our course, both by example and precept. And what remains is to make up our minds to rise and follow. In His trials we have the model of our lawful strife. In His ascension unto glory we see the assurance of our crown. His flesh was crucified: so must we crucify the flesh. He rose again; even so we must rise again unto newness of life. He is seated in heaven: so we must set our affections on things above. The rules are plain; they cannot he confounded with the rules of strife for any worldly mastery. We see, then, what we have to contend against. It is a compliance with the course of a sinful world; a reluctance to change our course into one which is not in conformity with it, but even in a contrary direction. It is putting Gods end, indeed, before us, even the prospect of eternal life, but not using His means, but putting our own in their place, because we find them much more agreeable: it is, in short, the indulgence of our nature. (R. W. Evans, B. D.)
Lawful strife
We gather from this figure that in spiritual things there is a striving lawfully and a striving unlawfully, and that the prize is not necessarily given to him who wins the race, if he has not complied with certain rules laid down. I think, then, we may say that there are three distinct ways of striving.
1. There is an unlawful striving after unlawful objects.
2. An unlawful striving after lawful objects.
3. A lawful striving after lawful objects.
I. As what is right is often more clearly shown by holding up what is wrong, I shall attempt to describe what it is to strive unlawfully after unlawful objects.
1. To strive, then, after pre-eminence, to be a Diotrephes in a church (Joh 3:9).
2. All strife about vain and idle questions (2Ti 2:14).
3. To seek after a form of godliness, whilst secretly denying the power thereof, or to have a name to live when dead in sin.
4. To strive after fleshly holiness and creature perfection.
5. To seek to find an easier and smoother path than the strait gate and the narrow way.
II. But now I come to another kind of striving, which is unlawful striving after lawful objects. Now God has laid down in His word of truth three solemn rules, laws you may call them if you like, which constitute lawful striving.
1. The Holy Ghost must begin, carry on, and finish the inward work of grace.
2. The soul must be brought under His Divine teaching to be thoroughly stripped and emptied of all creature wisdom, strength, help, hope, and righteousness.
3. The glory of a Triune God must be the end and motive of all. Any departure from these three rules of striving makes a man strive unlawfully.
III. But we come now to the only striving which the Lord crowns–a lawful striving after lawful objects.
1. Now we will begin with the first rule, which is this, that the Holy Spirit must work in us all the power, wisdom, grace, faith, strength, and life, that we strive with.
2. The second rule of lawful striving is, that the runners in this race should have no strength. He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.
3. And this enables you to comply with the third rule of lawful strife–to give God all the glory. Surely you can take no glory to self, when self has been proved, and found wanting. Now these lawful strivers after lawful objects are crowned, and they only. This crown is twofold–a crown here and a crown hereafter, a crown of grace set on the heart below, and a crown of glory set on the head above. (J. C. Philpot.)
Lawful striving
(2Ti 2:5 with 1Co 9:25):–Let us glance first at–
I. The fact that the Christian life is a warfare, a running and a wrestling, a course of self-restraint, and of earnest labour and striving after a great end. Let us consider–
II. The manner of the strife. There are two words which describe this, both of which are significant. Lawfully is the one, and certainly–or to put the double negative as the apostle has it, not uncertainly–is the other; and the not as one that beateth the air is only an expletive, or repetition of that.
1. This lawfully requires that all our effort and striving should be in accordance with Divine rule. And this implies at least two things–
(1) That it should be preceded by our trust in Christ. Nothing we can do is acceptable or valuable until by faith in Christ we have been reconciled to God.
(2) In the efforts we put forth we are not to follow our own impulses or inclination, but to be directed by the will of Christ.
2. Certainly. The certainty is secured by the lawfulness. Those who are guided by Christs will are not in any doubt either as to what they ought to do, or as to the result of doing it. Let us notice–
III. The object of our effort and striving. The apostle defines this object in the words, I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, and in this he but describes the warfare of the spirit against the flesh, or of the new man against the old, which is characteristic of the Christian life. And this leads me to notice in the fourth and last place–
IV. The motive of the apostles striving.
1. That he might not be a castaway. A castaway. Try to realise what that word means, if you would understand the full significance of the text, and the mighty force of the motive by which the apostle was actuated. A castaway. There was a picture so designated painted some years ago, and engravings of it were frequently met with. One of these you may have seen, and the remembrance of it will help you to a conception of what the apostle dreaded. In that picture a gaunt figure with unshaven head and unkempt hair, badly clad and hunger-stricken, is seen seated on a raft in the midst of a raging rainy sea, sheltering his face with his arm from the blinding drift, straining his hollow eyes to descry a sail in the far distance. He is the very picture of umnitigated, hopeless, unpitied misery. He is not only alone in the universe, but tile whole universe, so far as it is visible, seems to be against him. The sky frowns on him; the rain descends on his unsheltered head, tile wind smites him; the sea dashes over, and threatens to engulf him; hungry monsters of the deep are waiting to make him their prey. There is no ear to hear his cry, no eye to witness his miserable and forlorn plight, no hand to help him, no haven near, no friendly star gleaming through the darkness to show him where he is. He is left alone of men, cast out by the world, persecuted by the elements. The only thing that befriends him is the raft to which he clings. Now to be a castaway in the spiritual sense is worse even than that–unspeakably worse. The word is fraught with all kinds of imaginable and unimaginable horrors. To be rejected by the universe of being, to be despised and spurned, to be expelled from any circle into which it is desirable to enter, to be disowned by all the good, tormented by ell the bad, to see every door of hope closed, to find everything in the universe hostile, every force operating unfavourably, every object wearing a frown, no eye to pity, no hand to help, no car to hear, no voice to utter one consoling word, no means of mitigating, no friendly raft even to bear up amidst the engulfing misery! What conception can be more horrible than that?
2. Paul was not only actuated by the desire to escape being a castaway, but also by the desire to gain a crown. They do it, he says, of the competitors in the games, to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. (W. Landels, D. D.)
Law
As the chemist, the navigator, the naturalist attain their ends by means of law, which is beyond their power to alter, which they cannot change, but with which they can work in harmony, and by so doing produce definite results, so may we. (Shorthouse, John Inglesant.)
Obedience
If a boy at school is bidden to cipher, and chooses to write a copy instead, the goodness of the writing will not save him from censure. We must obey, whether we see the reason or not; for God knows best. (New Cyclopaedia of Illustrations.)
Conquest the condition of entrance into heaven
Many years ago the Turks and the Christians had a great battle, and the Christians were defeated, and with Stephen, their commander, they fled toward a fortress where the mother of the commander was staying. When the mother saw her son and his army flying in disgraceful retreat, she ordered the gates of the fortress to be closed against them, and the gates were dosed, and then the mother stood on the battlement and cried to her son, You cannot enter here except as a conqueror. Then the commander rallied his scattered troops, and resumed battle and won the day–twenty thousand scattering like flying chaff two hundred thousand. Ah! my friends, defeated in this battle with sin and death and hell, there is no joy, no reward, no triumph for you. Only shame and everlasting contempt. But for those who gained the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ the gates of the New Jerusalem are open, and you will have abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord. (T. De Witt Talmage.)
Obedience and freedom
The truest freedom is secured by the most implicit obedience. Those who profess themselves free in the sense of being superior to law do but make themselves the slaves of sin. It is in the observance of rule that we find the fullest scope for the development of our individuality and the improvement and elevation of all our natural powers. They soar highest, and act with the greatest vigour, and move with the greatest freedom, who keep themselves most completely subject to the restraints of law. Loyalty elevates. We are ensnared and deteriorated when we follow our own caprice; for the liberty which is lawless is essentially degrading. The worlds describe their brilliant course over the dark brow of night because of the force which binds them to their great centre; let that force be destroyed, and they are free to rush whithersoever the centrifugal force propels. Their movement may be swifter than the lightning, and their track more dazzling than its path, but it will soon end in darkness and destruction. And so it is with the mind and the law of duty which hinds it to God. The freedom which comes from the violation of that law is a freedom which, instead of securing its welfare and elevation, only lands it in deeper degradation and death. (W. Landels, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 5. If 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 1Co 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 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And look as it is in the public games in use amongst you, where divers strive by wrestling, fighting, racing, where there is a crown proposed as the prize for those who are the conquerors in the game; they have not that crown set upon their heads, unless they keep to the laws of that game wherein they are exercised. So it is in the spiritual warfare, or contest; there is a far greater reward, even a crown of glory, proposed for such as overcome; but none shall have it, unless those who keep to the laws which God hath made for those who exercise themselves in that spiritual combat.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. And“Moreover.”
strive for masteries“strivein the games” [ALFORD];namely, the great national games of Greece.
yet is he not crowned,excepteven though he gain the victory.
strive lawfullyobservingall the conditions of both the contest (keeping within the bounds ofthe course and stript of his clothes) and the preparation for it,namely, as to self-denying diet, anointing, exercise, self-restraint,chastity, decorum, &c. (1Co9:24-27).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
If also a man contend in the games ( ). Condition of third class with present (linear) active subjunctive of , old and common verb (from , a contest), only this verse in N.T., but in Php 1:27. Note sharp distinction between (present subjunctive, engage in a contest in general) and (first aorist active subjunctive, engage in a particular contest). Not “except he have contended,” but simply “unless he contend” (in any given case) “lawfully” (). Old adverb, agreeably to the law, in N.T. only here and 1Ti 1:8.
Is not crowned ( ). Present passive indicative of , old verb (from , crown), in N.T. only here and Heb 2:7; Heb 2:9. One apodosis for two protases. The victor in the athletic contests was crowned with a garland.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Strive for masteries [] . N. T. o. o LXX Paul uses ajgwnizesqai (see 1Co 9:25), which appears also in 1Ti 4:10; 1Ti 6:12; 2Ti 4:7. For masteries is superfluous. Rev. contend in the games; but the meaning of the verb is not limited to that. It may mean to contend in battle; and the preceding reference to the soldier would seem to suggest that meaning here. The allusion to crowning is not decisive in favor of the Rev. rendering. Among the Rom. crowns were the highest distinction for service in war. The corona triumphalis of laurel was presented to a triumphant general; and the corona obsidionalis was awarded to a general by the army which he had saved from a siege or from a shameful capitulation. It was woven of grass which grew on the spot, and was also called corona graminea. The corona myrtea or ovatio, the crown of bay, was worn by the general who celebrated the lesser triumph or ovatio. The golden corona muralis, with embattled ornaments, was given for the storming of a wall; and the corona castrensis or vallaris, also of gold, and ornamented in imitation of palisades, was awarded to the soldier who first climbed the rampart of the enemy ‘s camp.
Is he not crowned [ ] . The verb only here and Heb 2:7, 9. For stefanov crown, see on Rev 2:9; Rev 4:4; 1Pe 5:4. Paul has stefanon labein, 1Co 9:25.
Lawfully [] . Past o. See 1Ti 1:8. According to the law of military service which requires him to abandon all other pursuits. So the law of the ministerial office requires that the minister shall not entangle himself with secular pursuits. If he fulfills this requirement, he is not to trouble himself about his worldly maintenance, for it is right that he should draw his support from his ministerial labor : nay, he has the first right to its material fruits.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And if a man also strive for masteries” (,ean de kai athIe tis) “And if anyone also wrestles or struggles (athletically),” to win Me crown, if he endure strain, toil, and pain — he will fail in vain if it be not according to the Word, 1Co 9:26-27.
2) “Yet is he not crowned” (ou stephanoutai) “He is not crowned,” declared a winner, or rewarded. He has no chance of winning, if he doesn’t play according to the rules; In this instance the rules are the Word of God, 2Ti 3:16-17; 2Ti 4:1-8.
3) “Except he strive lawfully,” (ean me nomimos athlese) “Unless he wrestles or struggles athletically, lawfully, or according to the rules of competition,” to exert energy, struggle, wrestle, beat the air “out of bounds” of the rules is to strive unlawfully, in vain, Mar 7:5-9. God will judge every man’s works by Christ Jesus according to the things written in the Word, 2Ti 4:1-2; Rev 20:12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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.” (1Co 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, that none may leave off before the time appointed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
c.
As an athlete 2Ti. 2:5
Text 2:5
5 And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.
Thought Questions 2:5
74.
Isnt there a rather abrupt change from 2Ti. 2:4 to 2Ti. 2:5? Is there any connecting thought?
75.
What games does Paul have in mind?
76.
What is the purpose of such an analogy?
77.
What is the crown of the contest?
78.
Paul does not say the man will be crowned if he has won, but rather if he has contended lawfully. Why this emphasis?
Paraphrase 2:5
5 And also, if one contend in the Grecian games, he is not crowned unless he contend according to the laws of the combat. As little can thou expect to be rewarded, unless thou fulfill thy ministry in the manner prescribed by Christ.
Comment 2:5
2Ti. 2:5. The element of reward is the point of emphasis in this illustration for Christian service. The connective is the reference to the rules. There are rules in the army and there are rules in athletics. The prize is given to those who keep the rules. This thought pre-supposes the contender would excel in the contest. But even when excelling, rigid rules must be observed. How does this relate to the preacher? There are three qualities of character to be found in the man of God: (1) as a soldier, willingness to suffer; (2) as an athlete, willingness to discipline himself; (3) as a farmer, patience for the harvest,
Absolute self-discipline is taught by the example of the Greek athlete, Instances have been produced where the athlete swore under oath that he had practiced ten months before the games (Lock).
Please notice that there is only one participator in this contest, Each is contending by himself, against himself, and the established record,
What are the rules for the contest of the faith? They are set up by the Lord Jesus. Our Lord condemned sin in the flesh (Rom. 8:3); i.e., He demonstrated perfect self-discipline, The weapons used by our Lord, in His self-control, are open to all of us, Prayer, meditation, and fasting are yet the greatest needs of the present day self-indulgent, instead of self-disciplined, minister,
Fact Questions 2:5
55.
What is the point of emphasis in the illustration of 2Ti. 2:5?
56.
Is there some connection between the illustration of the soldier and the athlete? If so, explain.
57.
Something more than excellence in contending is required before a crown is given. What is it? How does this relate to the preacher?
58.
What is meant by the expression that Jesus condemned sin in the flesh? (Rom. 8:3)
59.
What weapons shall we use in the battle of self-mastery? Are they adequate? How do we know?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(5) And if a man also strive for masteries.More accurately translated, again, if a man strive in the games. Another picture is drawn, and the picture is, as before, a well-known one to all the dwellers in the great cities of the empire. An athlete is chosen to represent the professed servant of Christ, one of those who, after long and careful training, contends in the public games, then so popular, so entirely a part of the life of every cityin the games of wrestling or running, or in the chariot-racing, or in the hand-to-hand contests. Again, this oneas in the case of the soldierif he aspired to victory and success, must endure hardness.
Except he strive lawfully.Lawfullyi.e. according to the prescribed conditions of the contest. He must, of course, submit himself to the strict rules of the theatre where the games are held, and (for this is also included in the lawfully) must besidesif he hopes for a prizego through all the long and severe training and discipline necessary before engaging in such a contest. Galen uses the same phrase, in the sense of complying with the recognised rules of training as regarding diet.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Crowned Notes on 1Co 9:25.
Lawfully This implies not only that he loses his crown by any unfairness, or violation of rule in the race, but by any such violation of the laws of diet and training as were necessary to his ability to win.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, unless he has contended lawfully (or ‘in accordance with the rules’).’
The second principle is the principle of obedience. He must also follow the example of contenders in the Games, by contending in accordance with the rules. Commitment does not mean that we follow our own ideas. God has laid down His rules in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). We must therefore read them and follow them, although as Paul tells us elsewhere, they are all summed up in the commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’ (Gal 5:14). For if we do not obey His words then there will be no crowning, and no reward. Jesus demands that we live a full-orbed Christian life. In other words we cannot pick and choose but we must live wholly in accordance with His word.
‘Lawfully, in accordance with the rules, in a correct style.’ The rules for the Games not only required men to compete fairly and honestly, but they also required men to swear that they had trained properly for the event and had been properly disciplined in readiness for it. Christians must thus have the same dedication as athletes in preparing themselves for His service by spiritual exercise and a determination to do what is right. And they must then fulfil those responsibilities in total righteousness.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2Ti 2:5. If a man also strive for masteries, And if a man combat in the public games, he is not crowned, unless he has observed the rules prescribed. Heylin. If, in the Grecian games, they contended according to the rules prescribed, and came off conquerors, they were honoured with a crown of parsley, laurel, or bays: in like manner, if Timothy, through thepower of grace, divested himself of the inordinate love of temporal things, and contended according to the Christian rules, he was at last, through the mercy of God, to attain an incorruptible crown of glory.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Ti 2:5 . A new thought is added, that the contender who wishes to be crowned must contend .
] connects this thought with what precedes: “if one, too, does not permit himself to be kept from the struggle by other occupations;” [23] but the figure here is different from that we had in 2Ti 2:4 , ( . . in the N. T.) denoting the contest in running, to which the Christian calling is often compared; comp. 2Ti 4:7-8 ; 1Co 9:24-25 .
, ] The runner, in order to gain the prize, must in the contest adhere to its definite rules. Theodoret: , , . In this, too, according to 1Co 9:25 , should be observed; comp. Galen, Comm. in Hippocr. i. 15: , . The word occurs only here and in 1Ti 1:8 .
The thought contained in it is this, that Timothy, in order to share in the reward, must conduct himself in his evangelic warfare according to the laws of his evangelic office.
[23] Hofmann denies this connection of thought, maintaining wrongly that could only have this meaning if the apostle had continued to use the same figure.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Ver. 5. Except we strive lawfully ] Tam circa ciborum quam continentiae ac honestatis rationem, saith Cassianus, except for matter and manner he observe the laws of wrestling, both for preparation and execution. Aristotle saith, Not he that had a strong body, but he that ran well had the crown in the Olympic games; it was not he that had an athletic ability, but he that wrestled best, that get the garland.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
5 .] The soldier must serve on condition of not dividing his service: now we have another instance of the same requirement: and in the conflicts of the arena there are certain laws, without the fulfilment of which no man can obtain the victory. But (the above is not the only example, but) if any one also (q. d. to give another instance) strive in the games (it is necessary to adopt a periphrasis for . That of E. V. ‘ strive for masteries ,’ is not definite enough, omitting all mention of the games, and by consequence not even suggesting them to the ordinary reader. The vulg. gives it ‘certat in agone:’ and Luth., merely kmpfet : so also Ostervald and Diodati: Scio, ‘lidia en los juegos publicos.’ The word , in the best Attic writers, means ‘to work,’ ‘to endure,’ and , ‘to contend in the games.’ (See however Ellic.’s note.) This usage belongs to later Greek: see Palm and Rost’s Lex.), he is not crowned (even in case of his gaining the victory? or is the word inclusive of all efforts made to get the crown, ‘he has no chance of the crown?’ rather the former, from below), unless he have striven (this seems to assume the getting of the victory) lawfully (according to the prescribed conditions (not merely of the contest, but of the preparation also, see Ellic). It is the usual phrase: so Galen, comm. in Hippocr. i. 15: , , : Arrian, Epict. iii. 10, , , , (Wetst., where see more examples). Compare the parallel place, 1Co 9:24 . , ; , , , , , , , , , , . Chrys.).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
2Ti 2:5 . The sequence of images here the soldier, the athlete, the field-labourer affords an interesting illustration of repetition due to association of ideas. The soldier and the field-labourer are combined in 1Co 9:7-10 ; the athlete appears in 1Co 9:24 sqq . And the present passage has light thrown upon it from the earlier epistle, in which the various figures are more fully developed.
The connexion between the thought of the soldier and the athlete lies in the word (see note on 1Ti 1:8 ); and the exact force of will appear from a reference to 1Co 9:25 , “Every man that striveth in the games is temperate in all things”. No one can be said to comply with the rules of the contest who has not undergone the usual preliminary training. One illustration from those cited by Wetstein will suffice, that from Galen, comm. in Hippocr . i. 15: , , .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
if. App-118
a man = any one. App-123.
also strive = strive also,
strive for masteries = contend in the games. Greek. athteo. Only here.
not. App-105.
crowned. Greek. stephanoo. Only here and Heb 2:7, Heb 2:9. The crown was of wild olive or laurel leaves.
except = if (ean)., not (m5). lawfully. See 1Ti 1:8.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
5.] The soldier must serve on condition of not dividing his service: now we have another instance of the same requirement: and in the conflicts of the arena there are certain laws, without the fulfilment of which no man can obtain the victory. But (the above is not the only example, but) if any one also (q. d. to give another instance) strive in the games (it is necessary to adopt a periphrasis for . That of E. V. strive for masteries, is not definite enough, omitting all mention of the games, and by consequence not even suggesting them to the ordinary reader. The vulg. gives it certat in agone: and Luth., merely kmpfet: so also Ostervald and Diodati: Scio,-lidia en los juegos publicos. The word , in the best Attic writers, means to work, to endure, and , to contend in the games. (See however Ellic.s note.) This usage belongs to later Greek: see Palm and Rosts Lex.), he is not crowned (even in case of his gaining the victory? or is the word inclusive of all efforts made to get the crown,-he has no chance of the crown? rather the former, from below), unless he have striven (this seems to assume the getting of the victory) lawfully (according to the prescribed conditions (not merely of the contest, but of the preparation also, see Ellic). It is the usual phrase: so Galen, comm. in Hippocr. i. 15: , , : Arrian, Epict. iii. 10,- , , , (Wetst., where see more examples). Compare the parallel place, 1Co 9:24.- , ; , , , , , , , , , , . Chrys.).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
2Ti 2:5
And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.-In these games rewards were offered to him who could obtain the master. But in the effort he must conform to the laws regulating the game or he could not receive the chaplet. So in striving for the crown that the Lord shall give “to all them that have loved his appearing” (4:8), it will not be bestowed unless he who strives is governed by the law of God in the effort to obtain it. In other words, no man can gain the crown except through complying with the laws of God. [These words extend to all Christians, and they warn us, not against engaging in secular callings, but against so entangling ourselves in them that they hinder the growth and development into the <> likeness of Christ.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
strive: Luk 13:24, 1Co 9:24-27, Phi 1:15, Col 1:29, Heb 12:4
is he: 2Ti 4:7, 2Ti 4:8, Heb 2:7, Heb 2:9, Jam 1:12, 1Pe 5:4, Rev 2:10, Rev 3:11, Rev 4:4, Rev 4:10
Reciprocal: 1Co 9:25 – striveth 1Co 9:26 – not Eph 6:12 – wrestle 1Ti 1:8 – lawfully
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
SELF-MASTERY
If a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
2Ti 2:5
Let me ask you in all earnestness whether you have seriously set before yourself the task of gaining thorough mastery over every part of your being? So fight I, not as one that beateth the air.
I. St. Paul describes no random efforts here.His picture is of one who gets his enemy right in front of him, faces him, and then with well-directed blows, aimed straight from the shoulder, fells him. Too much of our battling with self in its many disguises is futile for lack of method and directness. Our plans of attack are often as vague as our confessions of contrition. We go to God and tell Him we have erred from His ways like lost sheep; but we keep back from Him the particular road down which we have strayed and the forbidden pastures in which we have fed.
(a) Indirectness is the death of prayer. We cannot be too explicit in laying bare the breast when in the presence of Him Who sees in secret, to Whom all hearts are open, all desires known.
(b) The same remark applies to our use of grace given. The stronger of two antagonists may be worsted by the weaker, if he relies only upon mere brute force. The one who economises his resources, whose strength is well directed and skilfully husbanded, will prove the better man of the two.
II. If we would be crowned, we must not only put forth the strength, which God supplies, but strive lawfully according to the rules of the combat. Method must be added to pluck and power. Consider the care with which the competitor prepares for the struggle: he subjects himself voluntarily to a fixed rule of living; so much exercise, and at such and such intervals; such a diet: he denies himself this and that luxury, this and that creature comfort. All is made subordinate to the development of his muscular powers and his physical endurance. His corruptible crown is worth it all in his eyes, even the chance, often small, of securing it. Shall the spiritual athlete be outdone by him?
III. Self-conquest is self-expansion.We repudiate the assertion that self-conquest is self-repression. Rather it is self-expansion. It is the repression of all that is hostile to the true expansion of our capabilities, and by true we mean their natural expansion. It is the blocking of forbidden channels that the life-stream may flow the fuller through the rest. He that overcometh shall inherit all things. Amid such boundless gain there is no room for loss.
Bishop A. Pearson.
Illustration
We are striving for masteries; we have a prize to contend for; we look to be crowned at the close of the contest. We are spiritual athletes: we have to diet our souls, so to speak, to train for the struggle. The crown we strive for is not of perishing parsley or bay, such as that which rewarded the victors in the Isthmian sports. They receive a corruptible crown, we an incorruptible. A few days will suffice to see their laurels wither; to all eternity ours will be green.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
2Ti 2:5. The apostle takes up another subject for the purpose of illustration, and that is the athletic performances that were popular in those days. Strive for masteries is rendered “contend in the games” by the Englishman’s Greek New Testament. It is the same exercise mentioned in 1Co 9:25 and commented upon in that place. In those games there were certain rules that the contestants were required to observe, and if they did not strive according to the rules, they were denied the prize even though they appeared to have outdone their rivals. The lesson is that in the great contest where the crown of eternal life is the goal, no one will receive that prize uness he complies with the rules. Of course those regulations have been laid down by the Lord, and they are recorded in the New Testament (Joh 12:48; Mat 7:21). As in the case of the temporal contests, no matter how earnestly a professed contestant labors for the prize of salvation, his earnestness will not count unless it is guided by the law of Christ. Such “zeal” will be unavailing because it is “not according to knowledge” of the authorized rules prescribed by the “righteousness of God” (Rom 10:1-3).
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Ti 2:5. Strive for masteries. St. Pauls habitual way of looking at the Christian life led him to pass naturally from the thought of the soldier to that of the athlete. We want some word to express this more adequately in the English. Strive in the games would perhaps answer the purpose, as bringing out more distinctly the new comparison.
Lawfully. The phrase, which is found in precisely the same connexion in Galen (Comm. in Hippocr. I. 15), was technical, half medical, and half belonging to the training schools of athletes, and implied the observance of all rules of life prior to the contest as well as during it. Failure to keep to the appointed diet and discipline, no less than taking an unfair advantage at the time, excluded the competitor from his reward.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 5
For masteries; in the athletic games common in those days as public amusements.–Lawfully; according to the rules and conditions established for the regulation of the game.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
There are laws to every way of life, to every occupation, to every sport – break them and you most likely will not succeed.
Now, in our present day this is not the truth that it once was. We saw the Enron debacle as well as many others – few wrong doers were in any trouble at all.
Our judicial system is awash – little makes sense within its findings. Murder someone and you can walk in a very few years – kill a cat and look out, you may be in for a very long time.
On the whole, it is required that you obey the rules – in spiritual things it is no different. TRUST ME, in the spiritual realm we have a judge that is righteous and just – there will not be the inequities and foolishness we have in America.
A prime example of this is found in the book of Joshua chapters six and seven. Achan did that which he was not to do and it resulted in defeat at Ai. God sets down His criteria and we are to follow it, not adjust it to fit our own desires and needs.
If you desire to operate in the Lord’s realm, do it His way, not your own.
What modern day application might we find for this passage?
Can we tell all those “stars” of football, television and other sports that they should stop praying to Jesus to ask Him to let them win and suggest they concentrate on playing the game by the rules and take their chances just like everyone else?
By the way if you pray that God allows you to win and you win and some other Christian on another team has prayed the same prayer – does it mean that you are more spiritual than the other – more prayerful than the other – more favored by God than the other?
If a Giants pitcher prays and asks God to let him win and a Dodgers player prays the same and the Dodgers win, does that mean God is a Dodgers fan? NOT!
Might we put some meaning back into our prayer lives!
The Sunday I presented this study in my class I saw an ad in the newspaper. I told my class that it would help them get their prayer priorities straight it is typical of America today. The ad was for little pendant necklaces they were prayer boxes Write down your prayer, fold it with love, place it in the box and gain strength from above. was the caption under the boxes.
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
2:5 {3} And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
(3) The third admonition: the ministry is similar to a game in which men strive for the victory, and no man is crowned, unless he strive according to the laws which are prescribed, be they ever so hard and painful.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Paul’s second illustration, the athlete, emphasized the need to minister according to the rules that God has prescribed. To do this we must minister with proper motives, with purity of life, and obedience to all of God’s will to win His approval.
". . . competitors at the Olympic Games had to swear an oath before the statue of Zeus that they had been in strict training for ten months (Pausanias, Graec. deser. 2Ti 2:24. 9)." [Note: Kelly, p. 176. See Jerry M. Hullinger, "The Historical Background of Paul’s Athletic Allusions," Bibliotheca Sacra 161:643 July-September 2004):343-59.]
As an athlete must deny himself or herself, endure hardship, and persevere to the end, so must every spiritual athlete.