| Geneva Study Bible {4} The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. (4) Another similarity with respect to the same matter: no man may look for the harvest, unless he first take pains to plow and sow his ground. People's New Testament 2:6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. The farmer has the first right to the fruits. Three illustrations, that of the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer are here given (2Ti 2:4-6). They all bear on the life of Timothy. All three must deny themselves and suffer, in order to receive the reward. The soldier denies himself the world; the athlete obeys rigid laws; the husbandman labors and waits for a reward. So you must be content to deny yourself, to suffer, and to wait for your reward.'' Wesley's Notes 2:6 Unless he labour first, he will reap no fruit. King James Translators' Notes that...: or, labouring first, must be partaker of the fruits Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 6. must be first partaker-The right of first partaking of the fruits belongs to him who is laboring; do not thou, therefore, relax thy labors, as thou wouldest be foremost in partaking of the reward. Conybeare explains "first," before the idler. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 2:1-7 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 Christ 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 must be to please Christ. We are to strive to get the mastery of our lusts 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 our good may not be spoken evil of. Some who are active, spend their zeal about outward forms and doubtful disputations. But those who strive 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 must 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 and stir them up to consider what they hear or read. | 
