Timotiyos II 2:5

5 And no participant in an athletic tacharut (competition) is crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Timotiyos II 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.

Timotiyos II 2:5 In-Context

3 Take your place in suffering as a chaiyal tov (good soldier) of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua.

4 No one on duty as a chaiyal is entangled with the everyday chiloni (secular) affairs of inactive duty, in order that he may please the One who has enlisted him.

5 And no participant in an athletic tacharut (competition) is crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

6 It is the hard working ikkar (farmer) who ought to have the rishonah mipri ha’adamah (the first share from the harvest of the earth).

7 Let your hitbonenut be on what I say, for Hashem will give to you binah in all things.