2 Timothy 2:5

Contextual Overview

¹You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ¹ You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ¹ You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ¹You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ¹ Listen Timothy, you are like a son to me and you must be strong in the grace that is found in Christ Jesus. ¹ So then, my child, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus. ¹ Thou therefore, my child, be strong in the grace which [is] in Christ Jesus. ¹ You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is 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 through the grace which is by Jesus Christ.

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 the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground-trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:9
The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:9
And out of the ground Yahweh God caused to grow every tree that is desirable in appearance 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
Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing 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
Moreouer, out of the grounde made the Lorde God to growe euery tree, that was fayre to syght, and pleasaunt to eate: The tree of lyfe in the myddest of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and euyll.

Genesis 2:9
Then the Lord God caused all the beautiful trees that were good for food to grow in the garden. In the middle of the garden, he put the tree of life and the tree that gives knowledge about good and evil.

Genesis 2:9
And out of the ground the LORD God made 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
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 out of the ground made the LORD God to grow euery 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 euill.

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.

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.