2 Timothy 2:5

5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

2 Timothy 2:5 in Other Translations

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

5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

5 And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.

5 An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere.

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

5 Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by the rules.

5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

5 In the same way, anyone who takes part in a sport doesn't receive the winner's crown unless he plays by the rules.

2 Timothy 2:5 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 2:5

And if a man also strive for masteries
In the Olympic games, by running, wrestling, leaping

yet is he not crowned;
with a corruptible, fading crown, a crown made of herbs and leaves of trees, as parsley, laurel

except he strive lawfully;
according to the laws and rules fixed for those exercises; so no man that calls himself a Christian, minister, or any other, can expect the crown of life, the prize of the high calling of God, except he runs the race set before him, in the right way; looking to Christ, the mark, pressing through all difficulties, towards the prize, and holds on and out unto the end.

2 Timothy 2:5 In-Context

3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Cross References

• 1. S 1 Corinthians 9:25