2 Timothy 2:5

2:5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner ¹  unless he competes according to the rules. ² 

2 Timothy 2:14

Dealing with False Teachers

2:14 Remind people ³  of these things and solemnly charge them ⁴  before the Lord ⁵  not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen. ⁶ 

2 Timothy 4:16

4:16 At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it.

2 Timothy 1:8

1:8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord ⁷  or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by ⁸  God’s power accept your share of suffering ⁹  for the gospel.

[2:5]  ¹ tn Grk “will not be crowned,” speaking of the wreath awarded to the victor.

[2:5]  ² sn According to the rules (Grk “lawfully, by law”) referring to the rules of competition. In the ancient world these included requirements for training as well as rules for the competition itself.

[2:14]  ³ tn Grk “remind of these things,” implying “them” or “people” as the object.

[2:14]  ⁴ tn Grk “solemnly charging.” The participle διαμαρτυρόμενος (diamarturomeno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[2:14]  ⁵ tc ‡ Most witnesses (A D Ψ 048 1739 1881 Ï sy) have κυρίου (kuriou, “Lord”) instead of θεοῦ (qeou, “God”) here, while a few have Χριστοῦ (Cristou, “Christ”; 206 {429 1758}). θεοῦ, however, is well supported by א C F G I 614 629 630 1175 al. Internally, the Pastorals never elsewhere use the expression ἐνώπιον κυρίου (enwpion kuriou, “before the Lord”), but consistently use ἐνώπιον θεοῦ (“before God”; cf. 1 Tim 2:3; 5:4, 21; 6:13; 2 Tim 4:1). But this fact could be argued both ways: The author’s style may be in view, or scribes may have adjusted the wording to conform it to the Pastorals’ universal expression. Further, only twice in the NT (Jas 4:10 [v.l. θεοῦ]; Rev 11:4 [v.l. θεοῦ]) is the expression ἐνώπιον κυρίου found. That such an expression is not found in the corpus Paulinum seems to be sufficient impetus for scribes to change the wording here. Thus, although the external evidence is somewhat on the side of θεοῦ, the internal evidence is on the side of κυρίου. A decision is difficult, but κυρίου is the preferred reading.

[2:14]  ⁶ tn Grk “[it is] beneficial for nothing, for the ruin of those who listen.”

[1:8]  ⁵ tn Grk “the testimony of our Lord.”

[1:8]  ⁶ tn Or “according to.”

[1:8]  ⁷ tn Grk “suffer hardship together,” implying “join with me in suffering.”