6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
6 It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce.
6 The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
6 And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:6
Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:1-7
(Read 2 Timothy 2:1-7)
As our trials increase, we need to grow stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. This is opposed to our being strong in our own strength. All Christians, but especially ministers, must be faithful to their Captain, and resolute in his cause. The great care of a Christian must be to please Christ. We are to strive to get the mastery of our lusts and corruptions, but we cannot expect the prize unless we observe the laws. We must take care that we do good in a right manner, that our good may not be spoken evil of. Some who are active, spend their zeal about outward forms and doubtful disputations. But those who strive lawfully shall be crowned at last. If we would partake the fruits, we must labour; if we would gain the prize, we must run the race. We must do the will of God, before we receive the promises, for which reason we have need of patience. Together with our prayers for others, that the Lord would give them understanding in all things, we must exhort and stir them up to consider what they hear or read.