No man that warreth, entangleth himself with the affairs of [a]this life, because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a soldier.

[b]And if any man also strive for a mastery, he is not crowned, except he strive as he ought to do.

[c]The husbandman must labor before he receive the fruits.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:4 With affairs of household, or other things that belong to other ordinary businesses.
  2. 2 Timothy 2:5 The third admonition: The ministry is like to a game or justing, wherein men strive for the victory, and no man is crowned unless he strive according to the laws which are prescribed, be they never so hard and painful.
  3. 2 Timothy 2:6 Another similitude tending to the same end: no man may look for the harvest, unless he first take pains to plow and sow his ground.

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown(A) except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.(B)

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