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Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.

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Take your share of suffering[a] as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please[b] the one who recruited him. Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner[c] unless he competes according to the rules.[d] The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. Think about what I am saying and[e] the Lord will give you understanding of all this.[f]

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:3 tn Grk “suffer hardship together,” implying “join with me and others in suffering” (cf. 1:8).
  2. 2 Timothy 2:4 tn Grk “that he may please.”
  3. 2 Timothy 2:5 tn Grk “will not be crowned,” speaking of the wreath awarded to the victor.
  4. 2 Timothy 2:5 sn According to the rules (Grk “lawfully, by law”) referring to the rules of competition. In the ancient world these included requirements for training as well as rules for the competition itself.
  5. 2 Timothy 2:7 tn The Greek word here usually means “for,” but is used in this verse for a milder continuation of thought.
  6. 2 Timothy 2:7 tn Grk “in all things.”