2 Timothy 2:3

3 Take your part in suffering, as a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:3 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 2:3

Thou therefore endure hardness
"Or afflictions"; as in ( 2 Timothy 4:5 ) . The same word is used there as here, and properly signifies, "suffer evil"; and means the evil of afflictions, as persecutions of every kind, loss of name and goods, scourging, imprisonment, and death itself, for the sake of Christ and the Gospel:

as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Captain of salvation, the Leader and Commander of the people, who are made a willing people in the day of his power; or when he raises his forces, and musters his armies, these are volunteers, who willingly enlist themselves into his service, and under his banners fight his battles; and such who manfully behave against sin, Satan, and the world, are his good soldiers; such are all true believers in Christ, and particularly the ministers of the word, whose ministry is a warfare, and who fight the good fight of faith; and besides the above enemies, which they have in common with other saints, have to do with teachers, who are wolves in sheep's clothing.

2 Timothy 2:3 In-Context

1 As for you, my son, be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus.

2 Take the teachings that you heard me proclaim in the presence of many witnesses, and entrust them to reliable people, who will be able to teach others also.

3 Take your part in suffering, as a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 A soldier on active duty wants to please his commanding officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life.

5 An athlete who runs in a race cannot win the prize unless he obeys the rules.