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. [source][source][source]
". . . 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. 2 Timothy 2:24. 9)." [1][source]
As an athlete must deny himself or herself, endure hardship, and persevere to the end, so must every spiritual athlete. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
2 Timothy 2:1-9 - "a Good Soldier Of Christ Jesus"
Soldier, 2 Timothy 2:1-4 : There is grace enough in Jesus for every need, but we must avail ourselves of it. We can expect nothing less than hardship, since life is a battlefield. Our one aim should be to please Him who chose us to be soldiers. In order to be all that he would have us be, we must avoid entangling ourselves in the conditions around us. We must resemble a garrison in the town where it is quartered, and from which it may at any hour be summoned away. The less encumbered we are, the more easily shall we be able to execute the least command of our Great Captain. How high an honor it is to be enrolled among His soldiers!
Athlete, 2 Timothy 2:5 : Life is an amphitheater, filled with celestial spectators. Probably our worst antagonist is found in our own heart. If we win the crown, we must observe regulations as to diet, exercise, purity, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Husbandman, 2 Timothy 2:6 : We ought to be working for God in His vineyard or harvest-field; but we are allowed to partake of the fruits. It is imperative that we should be nourished while we labor. In all these positions we must remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead. We must draw upon the power of His resurrection, and to do this, we must live on the heaven-side of the Cross. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live," Galatians 2:20. [source]
Chapter Summary: 2 Timothy 2
1Timothy is exhorted again to constancy and perseverance 17Of Hymenaeus and Philetus 19The foundation of the Lord is sure 22He is taught whereof to beware, and what to follow after
Greek Commentary for 2 Timothy 2:5
If also a man contend in the games [εαν δε και ατληι τις] Condition of third class with present (linear) active subjunctive of ατλεω athleō old and common verb (from ατλος athlos a contest), only this verse in N.T., but συνατλεω sunathleō in Philemon 1:27. Note sharp distinction between ατληι athlēi (present subjunctive, engage in a contest in general) and ατλησηι athlēsēi (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 1 Timothy 1:8. [source]
Is not crowned [ου στεπανουται] Present passive indicative of στεπανοω stephanoō old verb (from στεπανος stephanos crown), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 2:7,Hebrews 2:9. One apodosis for two protases. The victor in the athletic contests was crowned with a garland. [source]
Strive for masteries [ἀθλῇ] N.T.oolxx. Paul uses ἀγωνίζεσθαι (see 1 Corinthians 9:25), which appears also in 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 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 Romans 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. [source]
Lawfully [νομίμως] PastoSee 1 Timothy 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. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Timothy 2:5
1 Corinthians 9:25Is temperate [ἐγκρατεύεται] Only here and 1 Corinthians 7:9. The candidate for the races was required to be ten months in training, and to practice in the gymnasium immediately before the games, under the direction of judges who had themselves been instructed for ten months in the details of the games. The training was largely dietary. Epictetus says: “Thou must be orderly, living on spare food; abstain from confections; make a point of exercising at the appointed time, in heat and in cold; nor drink cold water nor wine at hazard.” Horace says: “The youth who would win in the race hath borne and done much; he hath sweat and been cold; he hath abstained from love and wine” (“Ars Poetica,” 412). Tertullian, commending the example of the athletes to persecuted Christians, says: “Coguntur, cruciantur, fatigantur.” “They are constrained, harassed, wearied” (“Ad Martyres,” 3). Compare 2 Timothy 2:5. [source]
1 Corinthians 9:24In a race [ἐν σταδίῳ] Or, better, in a race-course. From ἵστημι toplace or establish. Hence a stated distance; a standard of length. In all other New-Testament passages it is used of a measure of length, and is rendered furlong, representing 606.75 English feet. From the fact that the race-courses were usually of exactly this length, the word was applied to the race-course itself. The position chosen for the stadium was usually on the side of a hill, which would furnish a natural slope for seats; a corresponding elevation on the opposite side, being formed by a mound of earth, and the seats being supported upon arches. The stadium was oblong in shape, and semicircular at one end; though, after the Roman conquest of Greece, both ends were often made semicircular. A straight wall shut in the area at one end, and here were the entrances and the starting-place for the runners. At the other end was the goal, which, like the starting-point, was marked by a square pillar. Half-way between these was a third pillar. On the first pillar was inscribed excel; on the second, hasten; on the third, turn, since the racers turned round the column to go back to the starting-point. The isthmus of Corinth was the scene of the Isthmian games, one of the four great national festivals of the Greeks. The celebration was a season of great rejoicing and feasting. The contests included horse, foot, and chariot-racing; wrestling, boxing, musical and poetical trials, and later, fights of animals. The victor's prize was a garland of pine leaves, and his victory was generally celebrated in triumphal odes called epinikia of which specimens remain among the poems of Pindar. At the period of Paul's epistles the games were still celebrated, and the apostle himself may very probably have been present. At the same time, he would have been familiar with similar scenes in Tarsus, in all the great cities of Asia Minor, especially Ephesus, and even in Jerusalem. Metaphors and allusions founded upon such spectacles abound in Paul's writings. Racers, 1 Corinthians 9:24; boxers, 1 Corinthians 9:26,1 Corinthians 9:27; gladiators fighting with beasts, 1 Corinthians 15:32; the judge awarding the prize, 2 Timothy 4:8; the goal and the prize, 1 Corinthians 9:24; Philemon 3:14; the chaplet, 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 2:5; 2 Timothy 4:8, the training for the contest, 1 Timothy 4:7,1 Timothy 4:8; the rules governing it, 2 Timothy 2:5; the chariot-race, Philemon 3:14. These images never occur in the gospels. See on of life, Revelation 2:10. [source]
2 Timothy 4:8A crown of righteousness [ὃ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος] The phrase N.T.oSee on στεφανοῦται iscrowned, 2 Timothy 2:5. Rend. the crown. [source]
Hebrews 10:32A great fight [πολλὴν ἄθλησιν] Ἄθλησις N.T.oolxx. See on ἀλθῆ strive 2 Timothy 2:5. See Introduction, on the allusions in the epistle to persecution. [source]
Hebrews 10:32Call to remembrance [αναμιμνησκεστε] Present middle imperative of αναμιμνησκω anamimnēskō as in 2 Corinthians 7:15 “remind yourselves.” The former days were some distance in the past (Hebrews 5:12), some years at any rate. It is a definite experience of people in a certain place. Jerusalem Christians had had experiences of this nature, but so had others. After ye were enlightened First aorist passive participle of πωτιζω phōtizō in the same sense as in Hebrews 6:4 (regeneration) and like “the full knowledge of the truth” in Hebrews 10:26. Conflict Late word from ατλεω athleō to engage in a public contest in the games (2 Timothy 2:5), only here in the N.T. It occurs in the inscriptions. Cf. Hebrews 2:10 for the benefit of “sufferings” in training. [source]
Hebrews 2:7Thou madest him a little lower [ελαττωσας αυτον βραχυ τι] First aorist active of old verb ελαττοω elattoō from ελαττων elattōn (less), causative verb to lessen, to decrease, to make less, only here, and Hebrews 2:9 and John 3:30 in N.T. ραχυ τι Brachu ti is accusative neuter of degree like 2 Samuel 16:1, “some little,” but of time in Isaiah 57:17 (for a little while). Than the angels “Beside angels” like παρα para with the accusative of comparison in Hebrews 1:4,Hebrews 1:9. The Hebrew here has υοι τεου Elohim which word is applied to judges in Psalm 82:1,Psalm 82:6 (John 10:34.). Here it is certainly not “God” in our sense. In Psalm 29:1 the lxx translates εστεπανωσας Elohim by στεπανοω huoi theou (sons of God). Thou crownedst First aorist active indicative of old verb, stephanoō to crown, in N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 2:5 The Psalmist refers to God‘s purpose in creating man with such a destiny as mastery over nature. The rest of Hebrews 2:7 is absent in B. [source]
1 Peter 5:4Crown [στέφανον] From στέφω , to put round, encircle. It is the crown of victory in the games; of military valor; the marriage wreath, or the festal garland, woven of leaves or made of gold in imitation of leaves. Thus it is distinguished from the royal crown, which is διάδημα , of which diadem is a transcript. In Paul, στέφανος is always used of the conqueror's crown, not of the king's (1 Corinthians 9:24-26; 2 Timothy 2:5). Though it is urged that Peter would not have employed a reference to the crown of the victors in the games, because of the abhorrence of the Palestinian Jews for heathen spectacles, yet the reference to the crown of leaves seems to be determined by the epithet unfading, as compared with garlands of earthly leaves. The crown of thorns woven for Jesus is called στέφανος with reference rather to its being twined than to its being a caricature of a kingly crown. [source]
What do the individual words in 2 Timothy 2:5 mean?
Ifnowalsocompetesanyonenothe is crownednotlawfullyhe shall have competed
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: στεφανόω
Sense: to encircle with a crown, to crown: the victor in a contest.
Greek Commentary for 2 Timothy 2:5
Condition of third class with present (linear) active subjunctive of ατλεω athleō old and common verb (from ατλος athlos a contest), only this verse in N.T., but συνατλεω sunathleō in Philemon 1:27. Note sharp distinction between ατληι athlēi (present subjunctive, engage in a contest in general) and ατλησηι athlēsēi (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 1 Timothy 1:8. [source]
Present passive indicative of στεπανοω stephanoō old verb (from στεπανος stephanos crown), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 2:7, Hebrews 2:9. One apodosis for two protases. The victor in the athletic contests was crowned with a garland. [source]
N.T.oolxx. Paul uses ἀγωνίζεσθαι (see 1 Corinthians 9:25), which appears also in 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 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 Romans 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. [source]
The verb only here and Hebrews 2:7, Hebrews 2:9. For στέφανος crownsee on Revelation 2:9; see on Revelation 4:4; see on 1 Peter 5:4. Paul has στέφανον λαβεῖν , 1 Corinthians 9:25. [source]
PastoSee 1 Timothy 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. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Timothy 2:5
Only here and 1 Corinthians 7:9. The candidate for the races was required to be ten months in training, and to practice in the gymnasium immediately before the games, under the direction of judges who had themselves been instructed for ten months in the details of the games. The training was largely dietary. Epictetus says: “Thou must be orderly, living on spare food; abstain from confections; make a point of exercising at the appointed time, in heat and in cold; nor drink cold water nor wine at hazard.” Horace says: “The youth who would win in the race hath borne and done much; he hath sweat and been cold; he hath abstained from love and wine” (“Ars Poetica,” 412). Tertullian, commending the example of the athletes to persecuted Christians, says: “Coguntur, cruciantur, fatigantur.” “They are constrained, harassed, wearied” (“Ad Martyres,” 3). Compare 2 Timothy 2:5. [source]
Or, better, in a race-course. From ἵστημι toplace or establish. Hence a stated distance; a standard of length. In all other New-Testament passages it is used of a measure of length, and is rendered furlong, representing 606.75 English feet. From the fact that the race-courses were usually of exactly this length, the word was applied to the race-course itself. The position chosen for the stadium was usually on the side of a hill, which would furnish a natural slope for seats; a corresponding elevation on the opposite side, being formed by a mound of earth, and the seats being supported upon arches. The stadium was oblong in shape, and semicircular at one end; though, after the Roman conquest of Greece, both ends were often made semicircular. A straight wall shut in the area at one end, and here were the entrances and the starting-place for the runners. At the other end was the goal, which, like the starting-point, was marked by a square pillar. Half-way between these was a third pillar. On the first pillar was inscribed excel; on the second, hasten; on the third, turn, since the racers turned round the column to go back to the starting-point. The isthmus of Corinth was the scene of the Isthmian games, one of the four great national festivals of the Greeks. The celebration was a season of great rejoicing and feasting. The contests included horse, foot, and chariot-racing; wrestling, boxing, musical and poetical trials, and later, fights of animals. The victor's prize was a garland of pine leaves, and his victory was generally celebrated in triumphal odes called epinikia of which specimens remain among the poems of Pindar. At the period of Paul's epistles the games were still celebrated, and the apostle himself may very probably have been present. At the same time, he would have been familiar with similar scenes in Tarsus, in all the great cities of Asia Minor, especially Ephesus, and even in Jerusalem. Metaphors and allusions founded upon such spectacles abound in Paul's writings. Racers, 1 Corinthians 9:24; boxers, 1 Corinthians 9:26, 1 Corinthians 9:27; gladiators fighting with beasts, 1 Corinthians 15:32; the judge awarding the prize, 2 Timothy 4:8; the goal and the prize, 1 Corinthians 9:24; Philemon 3:14; the chaplet, 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 2:5; 2 Timothy 4:8, the training for the contest, 1 Timothy 4:7, 1 Timothy 4:8; the rules governing it, 2 Timothy 2:5; the chariot-race, Philemon 3:14. These images never occur in the gospels. See on of life, Revelation 2:10. [source]
The phrase N.T.oSee on στεφανοῦται iscrowned, 2 Timothy 2:5. Rend. the crown. [source]
Ἄθλησις N.T.oolxx. See on ἀλθῆ strive 2 Timothy 2:5. See Introduction, on the allusions in the epistle to persecution. [source]
Present middle imperative of αναμιμνησκω anamimnēskō as in 2 Corinthians 7:15 “remind yourselves.” The former days were some distance in the past (Hebrews 5:12), some years at any rate. It is a definite experience of people in a certain place. Jerusalem Christians had had experiences of this nature, but so had others. After ye were enlightened First aorist passive participle of πωτιζω phōtizō in the same sense as in Hebrews 6:4 (regeneration) and like “the full knowledge of the truth” in Hebrews 10:26. Conflict Late word from ατλεω athleō to engage in a public contest in the games (2 Timothy 2:5), only here in the N.T. It occurs in the inscriptions. Cf. Hebrews 2:10 for the benefit of “sufferings” in training. [source]
First aorist active of old verb ελαττοω elattoō from ελαττων elattōn (less), causative verb to lessen, to decrease, to make less, only here, and Hebrews 2:9 and John 3:30 in N.T. ραχυ τι Brachu ti is accusative neuter of degree like 2 Samuel 16:1, “some little,” but of time in Isaiah 57:17 (for a little while). Than the angels “Beside angels” like παρα para with the accusative of comparison in Hebrews 1:4, Hebrews 1:9. The Hebrew here has υοι τεου Elohim which word is applied to judges in Psalm 82:1, Psalm 82:6 (John 10:34.). Here it is certainly not “God” in our sense. In Psalm 29:1 the lxx translates εστεπανωσας Elohim by στεπανοω huoi theou (sons of God). Thou crownedst First aorist active indicative of old verb, stephanoō to crown, in N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 2:5 The Psalmist refers to God‘s purpose in creating man with such a destiny as mastery over nature. The rest of Hebrews 2:7 is absent in B. [source]
From στέφω , to put round, encircle. It is the crown of victory in the games; of military valor; the marriage wreath, or the festal garland, woven of leaves or made of gold in imitation of leaves. Thus it is distinguished from the royal crown, which is διάδημα , of which diadem is a transcript. In Paul, στέφανος is always used of the conqueror's crown, not of the king's (1 Corinthians 9:24-26; 2 Timothy 2:5). Though it is urged that Peter would not have employed a reference to the crown of the victors in the games, because of the abhorrence of the Palestinian Jews for heathen spectacles, yet the reference to the crown of leaves seems to be determined by the epithet unfading, as compared with garlands of earthly leaves. The crown of thorns woven for Jesus is called στέφανος with reference rather to its being twined than to its being a caricature of a kingly crown. [source]