Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Timothy 2:6

"The husbandmen that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits." — 2 Timothy 2:6 (ASV)

The Christian ministry can also be compared to farming. The pastor must sow the seed and cultivate the growing plants. One of Paul’s main emphases here is on hard work and diligence, which he hopes will be a part of Timothy’s pattern as pastor. Paul winds up this section by saying, “Reflect on what I am saying.” If Timothy does this, he will understand what it is all about. The three metaphors that Paul uses here—soldier, athlete, farmer—are also found together in 1 Corinthians 9:6, 24–27. The closest parallel between these two Scriptures is in the case of the athlete, who must go into strict training if he is going to win the prize. So Christians must have intense devotion and firm selfdiscipline if they are to win out for the Lord.