2 Timothy 2:3 kjv
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:3 nkjv
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:3 niv
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:3 esv
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:3 nlt
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Tim 2:3 | "Share in suffering as good soldier of Christ Jesus." | 2 Tim 2:3 (Direct) |
| Phil 1:29 | "For it has been granted to you that for Christ's sake you...in suffering." | Phil 1:29 (Suffering for Christ) |
| Rom 8:17 | "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him..." | Rom 8:17 (Suffering with Christ) |
| 1 Cor 15:58 | "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." | 1 Cor 15:58 (Steadfastness) |
| 2 Cor 6:3-10 | "We put no stumbling block in anyone's path so that our ministry will not be blamed. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance; in hardships, in difficulties, in distresses;..." | 2 Cor 6:3-10 (Suffering endured) |
| Gal 6:9 | "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." | Gal 6:9 (Perseverance in good works) |
| 2 Tim 3:11-12 | "...persecutions, sufferings—what kinds I endured in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, what persecutions I suffered! Yet from all these the Lord rescued me. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..." | 2 Tim 3:11-12 (Suffering inevitable) |
| 1 Pet 4:12-13 | "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you to test you, as though something unusual were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." | 1 Pet 4:12-13 (Rejoice in suffering) |
| Matt 10:24-25 | "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers and for servants to be like their masters. If the head of the household has been called Beelzebub, how much more the family members of his household!" | Matt 10:24-25 (Following the Master) |
| Heb 12:2-3 | "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and faint." | Heb 12:2-3 (Endurance like Christ) |
| 1 Thess 5:14 | "And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help those who are weak, be patient with everyone." | 1 Thess 5:14 (Mutual support) |
| Col 1:11 | "may you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all perseverance and patience." | Col 1:11 (Strength and patience) |
| 1 Tim 1:18 | "This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you might wage the good warfare..." | 1 Tim 1:18 (Good warfare) |
| 2 Tim 4:5 | "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." | 2 Tim 4:5 (Endure hardship) |
| Rom 5:3-4 | "...but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." | Rom 5:3-4 (Suffering produces perseverance) |
| Phil 4:13 | "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." | Phil 4:13 (Strength through Christ) |
| 2 Tim 2:15 | "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." | 2 Tim 2:15 (Approved workman) |
| 2 Tim 2:19 | "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those on whom he has chosen.’" | 2 Tim 2:19 (God's firm foundation) |
| Eph 6:11-12 | "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." | Eph 6:11-12 (Spiritual warfare) |
| Heb 4:15 | "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." | Heb 4:15 (Jesus' empathy) |
2 Timothy 2 verses
2 Timothy 2 3 Meaning
This verse emphasizes the foundational necessity of spiritual strength and endurance for believers, likening the Christian life to that of a soldier. It speaks to the inherent difficulties and challenges within this spiritual warfare.
2 Timothy 2 3 Context
This verse is found in the second letter of Paul to Timothy. It’s a pastoral letter, written by Paul to his protégé Timothy, who was leading the church in Ephesus. Paul is encouraging Timothy, a young minister, to remain steadfast in his faith and ministry amidst challenges and opposition. The preceding verses discuss being strengthened by God's grace and the faithful transmission of sound doctrine. The subsequent verses expand on the analogy of a soldier and other illustrations of commitment and discipline in ministry. Historically, this was written during a period of intense persecution for Christians, making the call to endure hardship particularly relevant.
2 Timothy 2 3 Word analysis
"Be yourself" (Strong's G1242): This phrase in Greek is related to being "strong," "power," or "strengthened." It conveys the idea of robust spiritual vitality and fortitude.
"a participant" / "share" (Strong's G3334 - metocho): This means a partaker, a partner, or a companion. It highlights an active involvement and sharing in something, not just passive observation.
"in suffering" (Strong's G2583 - kakopatheia): This term refers to suffering, enduring hardships, and undergoing trials. It’s not minor discomfort but significant affliction.
"as a good soldier" (Strong's G4754 - strateuomai): This is the verb form of "soldier." It means to perform military duty, to serve as a soldier, implying discipline, obedience, and enduring hardships in service.
"of Christ Jesus" (Strong's G2424 - Iesou Christou): This identifies the source of strength and the commander to whom the soldier belongs. The allegiance is to Jesus Christ.
Words group analysis:
- "Be yourself a participant in suffering": This is an imperative, a command from Paul to Timothy (and by extension, all believers). It calls for active engagement in hardships, not avoidance. It means to willingly and consciously bear afflictions for the sake of Christ's cause.
- "as a good soldier of Christ Jesus": This phrase acts as the basis and model for the call to endure suffering. A good soldier is one who is committed, disciplined, obeys orders, and endures the rigors of military service for their commander. This parallels the commitment and perseverance required in the Christian ministry and life.
2 Timothy 2 3 Bonus section
The term kakopatheia (suffering) in this verse suggests a deliberate and ongoing endurance of hardship, rather than isolated incidents. The military analogy further implies a disciplined and strategic engagement with these challenges, not a passive or haphazard response. It’s about fulfilling one’s duty, no matter how arduous, for the one they serve. This resonates with the Apostle Paul's own life, marked by immense suffering for the Gospel.
2 Timothy 2 3 Commentary
The call to "be yourself a participant in suffering" is not an invitation to seek out pain, but rather a recognition that hardship is an inherent part of faithfully serving Christ in a fallen world. A true follower of Jesus will inevitably face opposition, persecution, and trials. The analogy of the soldier is potent: a soldier is not hired for comfort but for service, often in difficult and dangerous conditions. They are expected to be disciplined, to obey commands, and to endure hardship for the sake of their commander and their mission. Paul urges Timothy, and by extension us, to adopt this same mindset—one of commitment and resilience. True spiritual strength is not found in avoiding suffering, but in actively sharing in it, empowered by Christ and motivated by loyalty to Him. It signifies a willingness to endure whatever is necessary for the furtherance of the Gospel.