2 Timothy 2:6

“The husbandman that laboureth, etc.] In manuring his ground, in ploughing, in sowing, in weeding, in reaping, etc. must be first partaker of the fruits; of his labour, before others; and the design may be to observe that the ministers of the word ought first to be partakers of the grace of God, the fruits of the Spirit, and of the Gospel, and rightly and spiritually understand it, before they preach it to others; or that such who labour in the word and doctrine, ought in the first place to be taken care of, and have a sufficient maintenance provided for them, (<460907>1 Corinthians 9:7,11) or that as they shall have in the first place some seals and fruits of their ministry, in the…”

“must be first partaker--The right of first partaking of the fruits belongs to him who is laboring; do not thou, therefore, relax thy labors, as thou wouldest be foremost in partaking of the reward. CONYBEARE explains "first," before the idler.”

“The husbandman that laboureth - The margin is, “labouring first, must be partaker.” The idea, according to the translation in the text, is, that there is a fitness or propriety (δει dei) that the man who cultivates the earth, should enjoy the fruits of his labor. See the same image explained in the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:10. But if this be the meaning here, it is not easy to see why the apostle introduces it. According to the marginal reading, the word “first” is introduced in connection with the word “labour” - “labouring first, must be partaker.” That is, it is a great law that the husbandman must work before be receives a harvest. This sense will accord with the purpose of the apostle.…”

“Unless he labour first, he will reap no fruit. 2 Timothy 2:8”

“husbandman: Isa 28:24-26; Mat 9:37, Mat 9:38, Mat 20:1, Mat 21:33-41; Luk 10:2; Joh 4:35-38; Co1 3:6-9, Co1 9:7-11 that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits: or, labouring first, must be partaker of the fruits, Co1 9:23; Heb 10:36 2 Timothy 2:7”