John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. Thou therefore endure hardness , etc.] Or afflictions; as in ( Timothy 4:5). The same word is used there as here, and properly signifies, suffer evil; and means the evil of afflictions, as persecutions of every kind, loss of name and goods, scourging, imprisonment, and death itself, for the sake of Christ and the Gospel: as a good soldier of Jesus Christ . Christ is the Captain of salvation, the Leader and Commander of the people, who are made a willing people in the day of his power; or when he raises his forces, and musters his armies, these are volunteers, who willingly enlist themselves into his service, and under his banners fight his battles; and such who manfully behave against sin, Satan, and the world, are his good soldiers; such are all true believers in Christ, and particularly the ministers of the word, whose ministry is a warfare, and who fight the good fight of faith; and besides the above enemies, which they have in common with other saints, have to do with teachers, who are wolves in sheep's clothing.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - As our trials increase, we need to grow stronger in that which is good our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Chris stronger. This is opposed to our being strong in our own strength. All Christians, but especially ministers, must be faithful to their Captain, and resolute in his cause. The great care of a Christian mus be to please Christ. We are to strive to get the mastery of our lust and corruptions, but we cannot expect the prize unless we observe the laws. We must take care that we do good in a right manner, that ou good may not be spoken evil of. Some who are active, spend their zea about outward forms and doubtful disputations. But those who striv lawfully shall be crowned at last. If we would partake the fruits, we must labour; if we would gain the prize, we must run the race. We mus do the will of God, before we receive the promises, for which reason we have need of patience. Together with our prayers for others, that the Lord would give them understanding in all things, we must exhort an stir them up to consider what they hear or read.
Greek Textus Receptus
συ 4771 P-2NS ουν 3767 CONJ κακοπαθησον 2553 5657 V-AAM-2S ως 5613 ADV καλος 2570 A-NSM στρατιωτης 4757 N-NSM ιησου 2424 N-GSM χριστου 5547 N-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
3. Endure hardness (sunkakopaqhson). Comp. chapter i. 8. A.V. verse fails to give the force of sun with. Rend. suffer hardship with me. Soldier (stratiwthv). Only here in Pastorals. o P. Frequent in Acts.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:3 {Suffer hardship with me} (sunkakopaqeson). See #1:8 for this verb. The old preacher challenges the young one to share hardship with him for Christ. {As a good soldier} (hos kalos stratiwtes). Paul does not hesitate to use this military metaphor ( this word only here for a servant of Christ) with which he is so familiar. He had already used the metaphor in #1Co 9:7; 2Co 10:3f.; 1Ti 1:18. In #Php 2:25 he called Epaphroditus "my fellow-soldier" (sunstratiwten mou) as he did Archippus in #Phm 1:2.
