Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Timothy 2:6

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits .

As the Apostle before had compared the Minister of the Gospel to a Souldier, and from thence concluded his Duty, not to intangle himself unnecessarily in secular imployments: and to those that exercised themselves in their publick games, and from thence concluded the obligation upon him to keep to the Divine rule in the managery of his Office, and of himself under the opposition he should meet with, so here he compares him to an Husbandman, (as Christ himself had done, Matth. 13.1. &c.) either to mind him of his duty, First to look to save his own soul, then the souls of others, or of his advantage, it being the priviledge of an Husbandman, being the proprietor of the Fruits (if he will) first to eat thereof, thereby intimating the priviledge of those who turn many to righteousness, Dan. 12.3.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 9.10.; Or, the [illegible: 1 word] labour [illegible: 2 letters] fir[illegible: 1 letter]t, must be [illegible: 1 word] of the [illegible: 1 word].