2 Timothy 2:5
King James Version
5 And if a man also strive for masteries,
yet is he not crowned,
except he strive lawfully.
In serving JESUS, and in striving for "masteries", what does it mean to "strive lawfully"?
These Bible versions tell us more:
2 Timothy 2:5
Amplified Bible
5 And if anyone competes as an athlete [in competitive games], he is not crowned [with the wreath of victory] unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:5
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
5 And if anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully (fairly, according to the rules laid down).
2 Timothy 2:5
Contemporary English Version
5 No one wins an athletic contest without obeying the rules.
2 Timothy 2:5
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
5 And also if one competes [in an athletic contest], he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully.
2 Timothy 2:5
Easy-to-Read Version
5 Athletes in a race must obey all the rules to win.
2 Timothy 2:5
Expanded Bible
5 Also an athlete who takes part in a contest must ·obey all [play by] the rules in order to ·win [L be crowned; C with the victor’s wreath].
2 Timothy 2:5
1599 Geneva Bible
5 [a]And if any man also strive for a mastery, he is not crowned, except he strive as he ought to do.
2 Timothy 2:5
GOD’S WORD Translation
5 Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by the rules.
2 Timothy 2:5
J.B. Phillips New Testament
2) A man who enters an athletic contest wins no prize unless he keeps the rules laid down.
2 Timothy 2:5
Jubilee Bible 2000
5 And also if anyone contends in public contest, he is not crowned, except he contends legitimately.
2 Timothy 2:5
Living Bible
5 Follow the Lord’s rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize.
2 Timothy 2:5
The Message
Doing Your Best for God
An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere.
2 Timothy 2:5
Modern English Version
5 Anyone who competes as an athlete is not rewarded without competing legally.
2 Timothy 2:5
New Life Version
5 Anyone who runs in a race must follow the rules to get the crown.
Timotiyos II 2:5
Orthodox Jewish Bible
5 And no participant in an athletic tacharut (competition) is crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:5
Revised Geneva Translation
5 And also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he has competed lawfully.
2 Timothy 2:5
World English Bible
5 Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.
2 Timothy 2:5
Wycliffe Bible
5 For he that fighteth in a battle [For why and he that striveth in a battle], shall not be crowned, but he fight lawfully.
In SUMMARY, to "strive lawfully" means:
competes according to the rules
competes lawfully (fairly, according to the rules laid down)
obeying the rules
competes lawfully
obey all the rules
obey all [play by] the rules
strive as he ought to do
playing by the rules
keeps the rules laid down
contends legitimately
follows the rules
play by the rules
competing legally
follow the rules
competes according to the rules
competed lawfully
competed by the rules
fight lawfully
The verse above is supported by the other verses written by apostle Paul:
2 Timothy 4:7-8
King James Version
7 I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course,
I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me
a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give me at that day:
and not to me only,
but unto all them also
that love his appearing.
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