2 Timothy 2:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

NIV: Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules.

NASB: And if someone likewise competes as an athlete, he is not crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules.

CSB: Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

NLT: And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.

KJV: And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

NKJV: And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

This verse transitions from the imagery of a soldier to that of an athlete. Athletes, both as amateurs and professionals, existed even prior to New Testament times. Athletics was especially popular in the ancient Grecian Olympics. Winners were presented with an olive wreath from a sacred tree near the temple of Zeus in Olympia.

An athlete who broke the rules of competition could not be crowned. In ancient times, just as in the modern day, rules existed both for the competition and the training. In the ancient Olympic Games, athletes had to swear before the statue of Zeus that they had strictly trained for 10 months prior to the event. Similarly, today's elite athletes devote their entire lives to training and competition. Yet athletes can be disqualified by breaking one major rule and even have prior medals or awards taken away. The Christian is to likewise follow God's truth in daily life in order to successfully be awarded in heaven. This is not a matter of salvation (Ephesians 2:8–9), but of heavenly rewards.

Second Timothy 2:1–13 presents a series of examples Paul wants Timothy to consider. Among these are soldiers, athletes, farmers, Jesus Christ, and Paul himself. Rather than give extensive details, Paul encourages Timothy to consider how each of these applies to his own life. The context for all of this is ''suffering,'' meaning the hardships endured for the sake of Christ. Those who endure do so by the power of God, not their own efforts.

Paul gives Timothy a clear mandate to defend the truth. This includes both upholding the gospel accurately, and presenting that defense in a gentle and loving way. While truth is important, Paul also notes that there are some issues which are only distractions. He considers these "babble," and arguments over them a form of spiritual disease. Like gangrene, this bickering only spreads and spreads until it becomes catastrophic. The ultimate goal of our evangelism is not to "win" an argument, but to rescue lost people.

In chapter 1, Paul gave Timothy encouragement by reminding him of his heritage and spiritual power. Here, in chapter 2, Paul expands on these commands. Rather than giving minute details, Paul presents a series of examples and tells Timothy to consider them carefully. Paul's instructions here set the stage for the warnings coming up in the next chapter. Timothy—and all believers—need to be prepared and right-minded, because the world is going to become spiritually darker and darker.

Second Timothy is the last New Testament letter written by Paul. Paul writes these words while awaiting execution by Rome. At this time, around AD 67, Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus. Paul writes to Timothy in order to encourage him. Paul is facing the worst of all hardships: his own impending death. So, he encourages Timothy to stand strong in his faith, with a reliance on the written Word of God. This letter echoes many of the themes Paul uses in his other letters.

Accessed 5/3/2024 12:43:14 AM