2 Timothy 2 · Verse 5

2 Timothy 2:5

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
2 Timothy 2:5, King James Version

2 Timothy 2:5 in other translations

BSBLikewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
WEBAlso, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.
ASVAnd if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.
YLTand if also any one may strive, he is not crowned, except he may strive lawfully;
DARBYAnd if also any one contend in the games, he is not crowned unless he contend lawfully.
BBEAnd if a man takes part in a competition he does not get the crown if he has not kept the rules.
WebsterAnd if a man also striveth for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he striveth lawfully.

What does 2 Timothy 2:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. And--"Moreover." strive for masteries--"strive in the games" [Alford]; namely, the great national games of Greece. yet is he not crowned, except--even though he gain the victory. strive lawfully--observing all the conditions of both the contest (keeping within the bounds of the course and stript of his clothes) and the preparation for it, namely, as to self-denying diet, anointing, exercise, self-restraint, chastity, decorum, &c. (1Co 9:24-27).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. And if a man also strive for masteries. As in the Grecian games. See this favourite illustration of Paul explained 1Cor 9:24, seq.

Yet is he not crowned except he strives 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," Pict. Bib. 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. Comp. 1Cor 9:26, 1Cor 9:27.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 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 1Cor 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:1-7

As our trials increase, we need to grow stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. This is opposed to our being strong in our own strength. All Christians, but especially ministers, must be faithful to their Captain, and resolute in his cause. The great care of a Christian must be to please Christ. We are to strive to get the mastery of our lusts…

Read the full comment on 2 Timothy 2:1-7 →

2 Timothy 2:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐὰνeanIfG1437
δὲdenowG1161
καὶkaialsoG2532
ἀθλῇathlēashall competeG118
τις,tisanyone,G5100
οὐounotG3756
στεφανοῦταιstephanoutaihe is crownedG4737
ἐὰνeanonlyG1437
μὴmēunlessG3361
νομίμωςnomimōslawfullyG3545
ἀθλήσῃ.athlēsēhe shall compete.G118

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Timothy 2:5

  • 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

    Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

  • Revelation 3:11

    Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

  • 2 Timothy 4:7-8

    I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

  • James 1:12

    Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

  • Colossians 1:29

    Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

  • Luke 13:24

    Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

  • Hebrews 2:7

    Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

  • Philippians 1:15

    Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

  • Revelation 2:10

    Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

  • Hebrews 2:9

    But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

  • 1 Peter 5:4

    And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

  • Hebrews 12:4

    Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
strive.
Lu 13:24; 1Co 9:24-27; Php 1:15; Col 1:29; Heb 12:4
is he.
4:7,8; Heb 2:7,9; Jas 1:12; 1Pe 5:4; Re 2:10; 3:11; 4:4,10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Timothy 2:4

    No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

  • 2 Timothy 2:5

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

  • 2 Timothy 2:6

    The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

Read all of 2 Timothy 2

2 Timothy 2:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y aun también el que lidia, no es coronado si no lidiare legítimamente.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		de même si quelqu’un combat dans la lice, il n’est pas couronné s’il n’a pas combattu selon les lois;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wenn aber auch jemand kämpft, so wird er nicht gekrönt, er habe denn gesetzmäßig gekämpft.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nam et qui certat in agone, non coronatur nisi legitime certaverit.