2 Timothy 2:3-7

v3: Those who desire to faithfully serve Christ must share in suffering, that is, "we must expect it and count on it in this world, must endure and get used to it and bear it patiently when it comes, and not be moved by it from our integrity."

v4: "The great concern of Christians should be to please Christ." If we are to please Him, we must follow His orders and not be diverted and drawn away from these by getting caught up in the affairs of the world.

v5: Like an athlete cannot expect to win the prize if they do not compete according to the rules, so a Christian cannot expect receive the crown at the end of their life if they do not "observe the laws" given to us by God. With the help of the Holy Spirit "we must seek to control our own sinful desires and corruptions" and "to excel in what is good" as evidence of our faith in Christ.

v6: The full blessings of salvation will come, but we need to wait for them to arrive. While we wait "we must first work as the farmer does, with great diligence and patience."

v7: "Reflection is the way to understand, remember, and practice what we hear or read." We are "to reflect on the things of God," praying that as we do, God will give us understanding.