Christian Minister Metaphors
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. [1]
In 2 Timothy 2:1, Paul exhorts Timothy—for good reasons—to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” He had left Timothy with the church at Ephesus to confront there a leadership deviating from apostolic doctrine and displaying dubious conduct. Among them, there were probably some elders. [2] So, the task was daunting. Timothy may have shown signs of fear and weakness, and Paul goes to great lengths to encourage and strengthen him with three metaphors that illustrate the challenges of the Christian minister.
A good soldier, 2 Timothy 2:3. “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (KJV)
The apostle was familiar with the lifestyle of a Roman soldier. He had seen them walking on the roads and in the cities, returning from combat. They were part of a conquering army, always moving and continually in danger of death. Sometimes they endured hunger and wounds and emotional anguish. What could they do about it? To arm themselves with courage and fulfill their duty was what a good soldier did.
The Christian minister—and by extension, every member of the body of Christ—is a soldier of Jesus continually at war (Ephesians 6:12-18). Difficulties and afflictions are to be expected. But the minister is not alone or unarmed. He has the Holy Spirit to strengthen him (John 14:16), has powerful spiritual armor to use (Ephesians 6:11ff.), and will learn to “glory in tribulations” (Romans 5:3). In 2 Corinthians 4:8-11, 16a Paul opens his heart regarding the hardness he had been through as a soldier of Christ:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body… Therefore we do not lose heart.
2. The athlete who competes according to the rules, 2 Timothy 2:5. “Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.”
The Greeks put laurel wreaths on the heads of the victors. Paul tells Timothy that a Christian minister is an athlete competing for the crown of life, according to the rules. What does this mean? The next two passages help us to understand.
Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24b-27)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
So, the Christian athlete running “according to the rules” abstains from anything that could affect his ability to win the race; throws off everything that hinders, is disciplined and persevering and fixes his eyes on Jesus, and the Holy Spirit equips him with the necessary power to do it (Romans 8:26-27).
3. The hardworking farmer, 2 Timothy 2:6. “The hard-working farmer [who labors to produce crops] ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.” (Amplified Bible)
Finally, Paul tells Timothy that a Christian minister is like a diligent and hardworking farmer. Farming, especially in biblical times, was a very challenging job. Virtually everything had to be done with the hands and some rudimentary tools. The farmer had to get the soil ready for sowing. This involved pulling out weeds, plowing and planting, and then, when the little plants sprouted, fertilizing and protecting them from pests. So, once again, Paul is emphasizing the demanding nature of Christian ministry but also its reward. The diligent and hard-working farmer has all the right to enjoy the fruits of his labor. In the case of Timothy, it would mean two things: first, the joy caused by the successful resolution of the problems he faced in Ephesus, and second, the approval of Christ when he appears the second time.
Conclusion
The life of the true Christian minister has always been full of challenges: difficult relationships with some people in the congregation, financial problems, malicious criticism, loneliness and isolation, personal and/or family struggles, stress, lack of commitment from some members of the community, etc. These and other challenges have the potential to shake our faith and fill us with fear and insecurity. In the midst of such situations, it is good to remember these words from Paul to Timothy and “to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
The Christian minister is a soldier ready to suffer hardships for Christ’s sake. He is an athlete who runs free from everything that hinders him from reaching his goal. He is a hardworking farmer who will rightly enjoy the fruits of his efforts. God will provide the means to conquer, and he will give the reward, for “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10).
1. All biblical quotations in this writing are taken from the New International Version, unless otherwise stated.
2. 1 Timothy 5:17-22.
