2 Timothy 2:5
Good News Translation
An athlete who runs in a race cannot win the prize unless he obeys the rules.

New Revised Standard Version
And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules.

Contemporary English Version
No one wins an athletic contest without obeying the rules.

New American Bible
Similarly, an athlete cannot receive the winner’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For he also that striveth for the mastery is not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

For he also that striveth for the mastery is not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

strive.

Luke 13:24 Strive to enter by the narrow gate: for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter and shall not be able.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize. So run that you may obtain. . . .

Philippians 1:15 Some indeed, even out of envy and contention: but some also for good will preach Christ.

Colossians 1:29 Wherein also I labour, striving according to his working which he worketh in me in power.

Hebrews 12:4 For you have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

is he.

2 Timothy 4:7,8 I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith. . . .

Hebrews 2:7,9 Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels: thou hast crowned him with glory and honour and hast set him over the works of thy hands. . . .

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for, when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life which God hath promised to them that love him.

1 Peter 5:4 And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never fading crown of glory.

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death: and I will give thee the crown of life.

Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Revelation 4:4,10 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats, four and twenty ancients sitting, clothed in white garments. And on their heads were crowns of gold. . . .

Context
Grace and Perseverance
4No man, being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with secular businesses: that he may please him to whom he hath engaged himself. 5For he also that striveth for the mastery is not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6The husbandman that laboureth must first partake of the fruits.…
Cross References
1 Corinthians 9:25
And every one that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself from all things. And they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown: but we an incorruptible one.

2 Timothy 4:8
As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me quickly.

2 Timothy 2:4
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