2 Timothy 2:4 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

No man that warreth entangleth himself — Any more than is unavoidable. In the affairs of this life — With worldly business or cares. That — Minding war only, he may please his captain. In this and the next verse there is a plain allusion to the Roman law of arms, and to that of the Grecian games. According to the former, no soldier was to engage in any civil employment; according to the latter, none could be crowned as conqueror, who did not keep strictly to the rules of the game.