2 Timothy 2:6

6 It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce.

2 Timothy 2:6 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 2:6

The husbandman that laboureth
In manuring his ground, in ploughing, in sowing, in weeding, in reaping

must be first partaker of the fruits;
of his labour, before others; and the design may be to observe that the ministers of the word ought first to be partakers of the grace of God, the fruits of the Spirit, and of the Gospel, and rightly and spiritually understand it, before they preach it to others; or that such who labour in the word and doctrine, ought in the first place to be taken care of, and have a sufficient maintenance provided for them, ( 1 Corinthians 9:7 1 Corinthians 9:11 ) or that as they shall have in the first place some seals and fruits of their ministry, in the conversion of souls, so they shall shine in the kingdom of heaven as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever. Though the words may be rendered, and which seems more agreeable to the context, and to the apostle's argument, "the husbandman must first labour before he partakes of the fruits"; so a minister of the Gospel must first labour, and endure hardships in this life, before he sits down in the kingdom of heaven, and takes his rest, and enjoys the crown of glory, which fades not away, which the chief Shepherd shall give unto him.

2 Timothy 2:6 In-Context

4 A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders.
5 An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere.
6 It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce.
7 Think it over. God will make it all plain.
8 Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. It's what you've heard from me all along.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.