2 Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. Many years ago the Turks and the Christians had a great battle, and the Christians were defeated, and with Stephen, their commander, they fled toward a fortress where the mother of the commander was staying. When the mother saw her son and his army flying in disgraceful retreat, she ordered the gates of the fortress to be closed against them, and the gates were dosed, and then the mother stood on the battlement and cried to her son, "You cannot enter here except as a conqueror." Then the commander rallied his scattered troops, and resumed battle and won the day — twenty thousand scattering like flying chaff two hundred thousand. Ah! my friends, defeated in this battle with sin and death and hell, there is no joy, no reward, no triumph for you. Only shame and everlasting contempt. But for those who gained the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ the gates of the New Jerusalem are open, and you will have abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord. (T. De Witt Talmage.) Parallel Verses KJV: And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.WEB: Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules. |
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