Verse 5
Paul’s second illustration, the athlete, emphasized the need to minister according to the rules that God has prescribed. To do this we must minister with proper motives, with purity of life, and obedience to all of God’s will to win His approval.
". . . competitors at the Olympic Games had to swear an oath before the statue of Zeus that they had been in strict training for ten months (Pausanias, Graec. deser. 2 Timothy 2:24. 9)." [Note: Kelly, p. 176. See Jerry M. Hullinger, "The Historical Background of Paul’s Athletic Allusions," Bibliotheca Sacra 161:643 July-September 2004):343-59.]
As an athlete must deny himself or herself, endure hardship, and persevere to the end, so must every spiritual athlete.
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