2:5 strive for masteries. Note that Paul uses seven figures in this chapter to illustrate the Christian life. The Christian is like a son (II Timothy 2:1), like a soldier (II Timothy 2:3-4), then a runner (II Timothy 2:5), a farmer (II Timothy 2:6), a workman (II Timothy 2:15), a vessel (II Timothy 2:21), and a bondservant (II Timothy 2:24).