Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Timothy 2:4

4 No man that warreth, intangleth himself with the affairs of this life , that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a souldier .

Having told Timothy that his Life was to be the Life of a Souldier, in which he would be exposed to many difficulties, and dangers, and hazards, he here mindeth him of the Law, and Custom of Souldiers, who being once entred in the Muster-roll, use to sequester themselves from other imployments in Trading, Husbandry, or the like.

That thereby they might be at the command of their General, or Captain, to be called out upon what service he pleaseth: So he who is a Minister of the Gospel ought not voluntarily, and of choice ingage himself in secular imployments, but give up himself wholly to the ministerial work; that so he might please the Lord Jesus Christ who hath chosen him to be his Souldier.