Bible Strands
2 Timothy 2:4
A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses Timothy in a pastoral letter, following an exhortation to endure hardship as a disciplined soldier of Christ Jesus.
The words — The Greek στρατευόμενος (strateuomenos) translates to "serving as a soldier," while πραγματεία (pragmateia) refers to concrete "affairs" or practical matters rather than abstract philosophy.
The thread — The warning against worldly entanglements appears in Luke 8:14, where life's cares choke spiritual progress, and in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, which contrasts seeking human approval with pleasing God.
Why it lands — The text describes a soldier's deliberate avoidance of civilian distractions to satisfy his recruiter, requiring a reader to prioritize singular devotion over competing daily obligations.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.
- Luke 8:14 The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.
- 2 Peter 2:20 If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.
- 1 Corinthians 7:22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.
- 1 Corinthians 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.
- Luke 9:59 Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:9 So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it.
- 2 Timothy 4:10 because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
- 1 Timothy 6:9 Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
- Deuteronomy 20:5 Furthermore, the officers are to address the army, saying, “Has any man built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him return home, or he may die in battle and another man dedicate it.