2 Timothy 2:1-4
So, my son, be strong in the grace that Christ Jesus gives. Everything that you have heard me teach in public you should in turn entrust to reliable men, who will be able to pass it on to others. Put up with your share of hardship as a loyal soldier in Christ's army. Remember: 1. That no soldier on active service gets himself entangled in business, or he will not please his commanding officer. (Phillips)
He shows us that a soldier's primary responsibility is to please the one who enlisted him in this service. He makes it clear that our primary responsibility, our loyalty, is to Jesus Christ—not a corporation, not even to an apostle of that corporation. Christ is the one who enlisted us. The man was merely used.
He goes on to say that a soldier must be single-minded. If he is not single-minded and gets himself involved in things other than carrying out the commands of his officer, then he will not be trustworthy. He will not be willing to endure hardship and put up with his share of suffering. He will not endure if he is deeply entangled in civilian pursuits or distracted by other concerns.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Endure as a Good Soldier
Strength in Christ's grace enables a believer to endure hardship as a loyal soldier in Christ's army. A soldier's primary responsibility is to please the one who enlisted him, and since Christ is the One who enlisted each believer, primary loyalty belongs to Jesus Christ, not to a corporation or its apostle. A soldier must be single-minded, for one entangled in civilian pursuits or distracted by other concerns will not be trustworthy and will not endure his share of suffering. A believer should strive to finish at the top, not as "just an also ran," but as someone God looks upon as "worth watching." Real mastery is glorifying God by becoming as much like Him and Jesus Christ as possible.