Finish Line Faith, 6: Our walk is really hard—and really worth it!

By Matt Proctor*

In 2 Timothy 2:3-13, Paul wants Timothy to know two things: the Christian life is really hard—and really worth it.

Paul begins the passage with three metaphors that Timothy is to “reflect on” (2:7). In 2:3-6, he hangs three images in Timothy’s mental picture gallery, and each one carries with it some expectation of difficulty.

Pictures of perseverance

1. Soldier (2:3). Paul knew something about Roman soldiers, having spent a considerable portion of his life guarded by them! He knew that a Roman soldier was a picture of complete dedication. There were no “weekend warriors”—they were required to sign on for a twenty-year hitch. To avoid civilian distractions, they were forbidden to marry (2:4). Only half of all Roman soldiers survived to retirement, so every soldier knew to expect hardship.

This was no nine-to-five job. A Roman soldier ate, drank, breathed, slept, lived, and died doing his duty as a soldier. Paul says, “Timothy, that’s who you are. When you look in the mirror, that’s a soldier looking back. Soldiers expect hardship, and soldiers don’t quit.”

2. Athlete (2:5). Paul says an athlete wins by “competing according to the rules” (2:5). That phrase refers to the oath every Olympic athlete had to take, pledging to enter ten months of strict training before the Games. Before these athletes could win the crown, they had to push themselves through the suffering. An athlete understood that hardship was part of the package.

This is still true today. Athletes expect difficulty. When a running back gets tackled, he doesn’t get up whining to the defense, “What did you do that for?” Nobody told me I was going to get hit.” If you’re a football player, you know that if you carry the ball, you’re going to get tackled. If you thought becoming a Christian would solve all your problems, think again. Hardship is part of the package. (See 2 Timothy 3:12, also 1 Peter 4:12.) But as spiritual athletes, we push through it. We run all the way across the finish line.

Paul is saying to Timothy (and to you), “This is who you are. When you look in thw mirror, that’s an athlete looking back. Athletes expect hardship, and athletes don’t quit.”

3. Farmer (2:6). Paul calls farmers “hardworking,” and the Greek word paints pictures of sweat and struggle, bent back and straining muscles, exertion and exhaustion. Farmers knew if they didn’t work, their family didn’t eat. So, hard as it was, a farmer didn’t quit.

Paul uses this word translated “hardworking” in other places to describe the spiritual work of a Christian. (See Romans 16:6, 1 Timothy 5:17, and 2 Corinthians 6:5.) This level of persistent work is part of being a Christian and a Christian leader. Paul is saying, “Timothy, this is who you are. When you look in the mirror, that’s a farmer looking back. Farmers expect hardship, and farmers don’t quit.”

Rewards for endurance

With each of these three metaphors, Paul hints at a reward for endurance. A soldier gets a medal after pleasing his commanding officer (2:4). An athlete wins a crown after competing according to the rules (2:5). A farmer reaps a harvest after working hard in the fields (2:6).

In other words, Paul is saying the Christian life is really hard—and really worth it. He wants to remind us that we do not labor in vain.

Then, in 2:8-13, he mentions three reasons for persevering.

1. You become more like Christ (2:8).
2. You bring people to Christ (2:9-10).
3. You save your seat with Christ (2:11-13).

So don’t quit. The Christian life is really hard—and really worth it.

Especially for Caregivers

• Which of Paul’s pictures reminds you most of your caregiving journey?

• Which of these pictures challenges you to perseverance even beyond your caregiving duties?—M.T.

Read: 2 Timothy 2:3-13
Pray: Help me, Father, not to give up even when living for you is hard. Help me to remember it is all really worth it.

* This devotion is adapted with permission from a new book by Matt Proctor, president of Ozark Christian College (Joplin, Missouri) (c) 2024. Finish Line Faith is a 12-week study of 2 Timothy perfect for any group or Bible study, and this devotion gives only a taste of the down-to-earth encouragement it provides. Click here for information on ordering copies for yourself or your group.