2 Timothy 2:5

5 For he that fighteth in a battle [For why and he that striveth in a battle], shall not be crowned, but he fight lawfully.

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 Travail thou as a good knight of Christ Jesus. [Travail thou as a good knight of Jesus Christ.]

4 No man holding knighthood to God, wrappeth himself [enwrappeth himself] with worldly needs, that he please to him, to whom he hath proved himself.

5 For he that fighteth in a battle [For why and he that striveth in a battle], shall not be crowned, but he fight lawfully.

6 It behooveth an earth-tiller to receive first of the fruits.

7 Understand thou what things I say [Understand what things I say]. For the Lord shall give to thee understanding in all things.