AUV(i)
3 [Be willing to] suffer hardship with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No soldier on active duty, gets himself involved in the affairs of civilian life, so that he can please the person who enlisted him [i.e., his commanding officer].
5 And if a person competes as an athlete, he is not awarded the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.
6 [And] the farmer who works hard should be the first one to receive a share of the crops.
7 Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will help you to understand everything.
8 [In the face of trouble] remember Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, who was raised from the dead according to my Gospel,
9 for which I am suffering difficulty [here] in prison, as [though I were] a criminal. But God’s message is not “in prison.”
10 So, I endure everything for the elect’s sake [i.e., God’s people], so that they can obtain the salvation which comes through Christ Jesus, with [its] never ending splendor.
11 This saying is trustworthy: For if we have died with Christ [i.e., stopped the practice of sin, See Rom. 6:1-11], we will also live with Him [i.e., both here and hereafter].
12 If we endure [i.e., remain faithful through suffering], we will also rule with Him [i.e., both here and hereafter]. If we deny Him, He will also deny us. [See Matt. 10:33].