2 Timothy 2:5

And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.

Paul made extensive use of such spectacles as the Olympian games, giving many comparisons regarding "the crown of life," "receiving the prize," "being encompassed with a great cloud of witnesses," "finishing the course," "running in a race," etc.; but here another use of the metaphor is given to stress the necessity of doing it God's way. "Contending lawfully" means that the child of God must recognize the divine rules, endure the disciplines, fulfill all requirements regarding the proper enrollment, always abiding by the rules of the contest, if he hopes to receive eternal life. The great thesis of current times to the effect that "I'll do it my way," "I'll work out my own religion," etc. - all such notions are refuted by Paul's words here.

Both this metaphor and that of the field-laborer (next verse) are likewise associated in Paul's letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:7-10,24ff), where is also found a more extensive development of both figures. Timothy's familiarity with Paul's teaching from these analogies required only the briefest mention of them in such a letter as this.