And if someone likewise competes as an athlete, he is not crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules.
Parallel translations
- WEB Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.
- KJV And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
- BSB Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
- NKJV And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
- NLT And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. Faithful service requires obedience to God's standards, not merely effort.
Overview
The second image, the athlete, teaches that endurance must be disciplined and lawful to be rewarded. There is a way of serving Christ that accords with his commands, and only such faithful striving receives the victor's crown. The verse points ahead to the eternal reward awaiting those who serve rightly.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- 1 Cor 9:24–27Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win.
- Rev 3:11I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.
- 2 Tim 4:7–8I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
- Jas 1:12Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.
- Col 1:29for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
- Luke 13:24“Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in, and will not be able.
- Phil 1:15Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
- Heb 2:7You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.
- Rev 2:10Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- 1 Pet 5:4When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.
- Heb 2:9But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone.
- Heb 12:4You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin;
- Rev 4:10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying,
- Rev 4:4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.
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Christ at the center
Christ Jesus 'abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel' — the risen Lord whose word and kingdom endure to the end.
How 2 Timothy 2:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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