Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Timothy 2:4

"No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier." — 2 Timothy 2:4 (ASV)

No man that warreth . . .—This is better rendered, while engaged on military service, or serving as a soldier. The first picture is suggested by the last simile (2 Timothy 2:3). It was one very familiar to the numerous peoples living under the shadow of Roman power, this picture of the soldier concerned only with the military affairs of the great empire—the legionary wrapped up in his service, with no thought or care outside the profession of which he was so proud. None of these sworn legionaries have anything to do with buying or selling, with the Forum, or with any of the many employments of civil life. So it should be with the earnest and faithful Christian. His Master’s service and commands must always rank paramount, above any earthly considerations.

The soldier of Christ should never allow himself to be entangled in any earthly business which would interfere with his duty to his own General. But while this general reference to all members of the Church lies on the surface, beneath it a solemn injunction may surely be read, addressed to Timothy and to others like him in later times who are specially engaged in the ministry of the Word and in matters connected with the government of the Church of Christ. And so the Catholic Church has generally understood this direction to Timothy as warning her ministers from engaging in secular pursuits, whether connected with business or pleasure.

That he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.—This is more accurately rendered, who enrolled him as a soldier. Only those soldiers who with heart and soul devote themselves to their military work win the heart of their commander. The question has been asked: What about St. Paul’s own example and that of other early Christian teachers, such as Aquila? Did not they, in any case, from time to time pursue a secular calling—that of tent-makers?

The reply here is not a difficult one. Jewish life in those days contemplated and even desired that its rabbis and teachers should be acquainted with, and even, if necessary, practice some handicraft. The well-known Hebrew saying, “He that teaches not his son a trade teaches him to be a thief,” is a proof of this. In the case of these early teachers, this occasional practice of an industry or a trade brought them more directly into contact with their Jewish brethren. It was in this way that among the Jewish people a Hebrew rabbi often passed imperceptibly into a Christian teacher.

It must also be born in mind that in St. Paul’s case, and also in the case of the presbyters of the first and second centuries, especially if they were missionaries, it was not always possible to ensure subsistence unless they maintained themselves by their own exertions. It was also most desirable that these pioneers of Christianity should always be above all reproach of covetousness, or even of the suspicion that they wished for any earthly thing from their converts. However, it was not intended that such a combination of work—for both the Church and the world—should become the rule for ecclesiastical order in future days. The positive and very plain directions of 1 Corinthians 9:1–15 are decisive on this point and cannot be misunderstood.