Striving for the Masteries 2 Timothy 2:5

As Paul the apostle continued to share his final words with Timothy his “dearly beloved son”, he gave him three examples of the manner in which he should live. The first was that he should “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”, and as a man that goes to war, he was to be sure not to “entangle himself with the affairs of this life”. In chapter two and verse five of this final letter from Paul, we read the second example as he wrote of those who “strive for the masteries” where we read:

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

The verse begins, “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet he is not crowned...” Paul began his second example with the word, “And” which is a conjunction meaning Paul's thought continued. Once again it is good to be reminded that the original manuscripts were not divided in chapters and verses but were written as we might write or type a letter today. Paul continued, “if” or “in case” “a man” or “certain one or someone” “also” which means “even or indeed” “strive” which is the Greek word “athleō” from which we derive our English word “athlete” and means “engage in a contest, contend in public games or for a prize, endure or suffer” “for masteries yet he is not crowned” which is the Greek phrase “stephanoō ou stephanoō” and means “encircled with a crown, to crown, adorn, honor as the victor in a contest”. If we use our imaginations we can almost picture Paul as he is thinking of an athlete who competes in a contest and refers to the endurance and suffering the competitor must face in advance of his actual competition.

The verse goes on to say, “..., except he strive lawfully.” Paul included the manner in which this athlete must compete, “except” or “unless” “he strive” or “engage in a contest, contend in public games or for a prize, endure or suffer” “lawfully” which means “agreeable to the law or rules and legitimately”. In other words, the athlete who is crowned as winner of the contest must follow the rules of the competition, otherwise he will not be honored as the victor.

When we meditate upon this example of Paul, we get the idea that Paul enjoyed watching athletes compete in the games. It is quite possible that the Olympic games were on his mind as used the example of an athlete, because he used athletes in other passages of his letters as well. Whatever the case, we understand his idea of “competing according to the rules and enduring suffering” which is necessary to be in the contest. As those who practice over and over again before their actual competition, so must the Christian “endure hardness” and be purposed and determined to continue their training. As we think this through, let us allow the Lord Jesus to help us keep the rules of engagement, suffer when necessary and compete in a manner which is pleasing to Him and our Heavenly Father, so one day we too will receive a crown for the manner in which we have been involved in His Kingdom.

Next time Paul shares about “the husbandman”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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