2-timothy 2:5

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

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

American King James Version (AKJV)

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

American Standard Version (ASV)

And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowded, except he have contended lawfully.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

And if a man takes part in a competition he does not get the crown if he has not kept the rules.

Webster's Revision

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

World English Bible

Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules.

English Revised Version (ERV)

And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.

Clarke's 2-timothy 2:5 Bible Commentary

If a man also strive for masteries - Εαν δε και αθλῃ 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 athlete, 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 labored 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.

Barnes's 2-timothy 2:5 Bible Commentary

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.