2:5-7
Paul uses two more analogies here, and then urges Timothy to ponder on these things. The first analogy is that an athlete has to compete by the rules, otherwise they will not receive the victor’s crown. The other is that a hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. So what lessons is Timothy expected to learn? With regard to playing by the rules, one of the rules of the Christian life is that there is no gain without pain. Suffering is part of the deal in following Christ. There are those, such as prosperity gospellers, who seek to promote a suffering free gospel. More subtly, there are those who advocate us going along with society, essentially saying if we are nice enough then people with love us and come to know Jesus. Both of these views are delusions. Then we have that hard work is important. So we need to be prepared to suffer and to work hard. Note also the underlying assumption that there is a reward. In fact this idea of the reward runs throughout the Bible, including the teachings of Jesus.
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