2 Timothy 2:5

Contextual Overview

¹ Timothy, you are a son to me. Be strong in the grace that we have because we belong to Christ Jesus. ¹ You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, ¹ Thou therfore my sonne be stronge in the grace that is in Christ Iesu. ¹ You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Messiah Yeshua. ¹ You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ¹ You then, Timothy, my child, be strong in the grace we have in Christ Jesus. ¹ You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ¹ Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ¹ You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, ¹ You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

strive: Luke 13:24, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 1:15, Colossians 1:29, Hebrews 12:4

is he: 2 Timothy 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:8, Hebrews 2:7, Hebrews 2:9, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 2:10, Revelation 3:11, Revelation 4:4, Revelation 4:10

Reciprocal: 1 Corinthians 9:25 - striveth 1 Corinthians 9:26 - not Ephesians 6:12 - wrestle 1 Timothy 1:8 - lawfully

Cross-References

Genesis 2:9
And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:9
And out of the ground made Yahweh God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:9
The Lord God caused every beautiful tree and every tree that was good for food to grow out of the ground. In the middle of the garden, God put the tree that gives life and also the tree that gives the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:9
The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow from the soil, every tree that was pleasing to look at and good for food. (Now the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil were in the middle of the orchard.)

Genesis 2:9
And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:9
Out of the ground Yahweh God made every tree to grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:9
And [in that garden] the LORD God caused to grow from the ground every tree that is desirable and pleasing to the sight and good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the [experiential] knowledge (recognition) of [the difference between] good and evil.

Genesis 2:9
And the Lord God brouyte forth of the erthe ech tre fair in siyt, and swete to ete; also he brouyte forth the tre of lijf in the middis of paradis, and the tre of kunnyng of good and of yuel.

Genesis 2:9
and Jehovah God causeth to sprout from the ground every tree desirable for appearance, and good for food, and the tree of life in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:9
Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. And in the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Gill's Notes on the 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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 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 1 Corinthians 9:26-27.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

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 9:24-26, 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.