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The second section of Chapter 4 consists of
three
verses:
2 Timothy 4:6-8
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of
my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but
unto all them also that love his appearing.
Let us begin with the Barclay:
PAUL COMES TO THE END
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2 Timothy 4:6-8
…paraphrased
For my life has reached the point when it
must be sacrificed, and the time of my
departure has come. I have fought the good
fight: I have completed the course: I have
kept the faith. As for what remains, there
is laid up for me the crown of righteousness
which on that day the Lord, the righteous
judge, will give to me – and not only to me,
but also to all who have loved his
appearing. |
For Paul, the end is very near, and he knows
it. When the Dutch reformer Erasmus was growing old,
he said: ‘I am a veteran, and have earned my
discharge, and must leave the fighting to younger
men.’ Paul, the veteran warrior, is laying down his
arms in order that Timothy may take them up.
No passage in the New Testament [has
more] vivid pictures than this.
‘My life’, says Paul, ‘has reached the point
where it must be sacrificed.’ The word he uses for
sacrifice is the verb spendesthai, which literally
means to pour out as a libation, a drink offering,
to the gods. Every Roman meal ended with a kind of
sacrifice. A cup of wine was taken and was poured
out (spendesthai)
to the gods. It is as if Paul were saying: ‘The day
is ended; it is time to rise and go; and my life
must be poured out as a sacrifice to God.’ He did
not think of himself as going to be executed; he
thought of himself as going to offer his life to
God. Ever since his conversion, he had offered
everything to God – his money, his scholarship, his
time, his physical strength, the acuteness of his
mind and the devotion of his heart. Only life itself
was left to offer, and gladly he was going to lay it
down.
He goes on to say: ‘The time of my departure
has come.’ The word (analusis)
he uses for departure is a vivid one. It contains
many pictures, and each one tells us something about
leaving this life.
(1) It is the word for unyoking an animal
from the shafts of the cart or the plough. Death to
Paul was rest from labour. As Edmund Spenser had it
in The Faerie Queene, sleep after toil, port after
stormy seas, ease after war, death after life, are
lovely things.
(2) It is the word for loosening bonds or
fetters. Death for Paul was a release. He was to
exchange the confines of a Roman prison for the
glorious liberty of the courts of heaven [meaning
the Kingdom of God].
(3) It is the word for loosening the ropes of
a tent. For Paul, it was time to strike camp again.
He had made many journeys across the roads of Asia
Minor and of Europe. Now he was setting out on his
last and greatest journey: he was taking the road
that led to God.
(4) It is the word for loosening the mooring
ropes of a ship. On many occasions, Paul had felt
his ship leave the harbor for the deep waters. Now
he is to launch out into the greatest deep of all,
setting sail to cross the waters of death to arrive
in the haven of eternity.
So, for Christians, death is laying down the burden
in order to rest; it is laying aside the shackles in
order to be free; it is dismantling a temporary
campsite in order to take up residence in the
[Kingdom of God]; it is casting off the ropes which
bind us to this world in order to set sail on the
voyage which ends in the presence of God. Who then
shall fear it? ~Barclay
commentary
Now to the rest of the commentaries.
We will begin with the general and move to the
specific commentaries. First the Matthew Henry and
we break into the long commentary where it begins
speaking to verse 8:
[3.] With what pleasure he looks forward to the life
he was to live hereafter (2 Timothy 4:8): Henceforth
there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
etc. He had lost for Christ, but he was sure he
should not lose by him, Philippians 3:8. Let this
encourage Timothy to endure hardness as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ that there is a crown of
life before us, the glory and joy of which will
abundantly recompense [repay;
make restitution] all the hardships and
toils of our present warfare.
Quoted verse:
Philippians 3:8
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for
the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win
Christ.
Observe, It is called a crown of righteousness,
because it will be the recompence of our services,
which God is not unrighteous to forget; and because
our holiness and righteousness will there be
perfected, and will be our crown. God will give it
as a righteous Judge, who will let none love by him.
And yet this crown of righteousness was not peculiar
to Paul, as if it belonged only to apostles and
eminent ministers and martyrs, but to all those also
that love his appearing.
Observe, It is the character of all the saints that
they love the appearing of Jesus Christ: they loved
his first appearing, when he appeared to take away
sin by the sacrifice of himself (Hebrews 9:26); they
love to think of it; they love his second appearing
at the great day; love it, and long for it: and,
with respect to those who love the appearing of
Jesus Christ, he shall appear to their joy; there is
a crown of righteousness reserved for them, which
shall then be given them, Hebrews 9:28.
Quoted verses:
Hebrews 9:26
For then must he often have suffered since the
foundation of the world: but now once in the end of
the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the
sacrifice of himself.
Hebrews 9:28
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;
and unto them that look for him shall he appear the
second time without sin unto salvation.
We learn hence:
First, The Lord is the righteous Judge, for his
judgment is according to truth.
Secondly, The crown of believers is a crown of
righteousness, purchased by the righteousness of
Christ, and bestowed as the reward of the saints'
righteousness.
Thirdly, This crown, which believers shall wear, is
laid up for them; they have it not at present, for
here they are but heirs; they have it not in
possession, and yet it is sure, for it is laid up
for them.
Fourthly, The righteous Judge will give it to all
who love, prepare, and long for his appearing.
Surely I come quickly. Amen, even so come, Lord
Jesus. ~Matthew Henry Main
Now to the Matthew Henry Concise which covers verses
6-8:
The blood of the martyrs, though not a sacrifice of
atonement, yet was a sacrifice of acknowledgment to
the grace of God and his truth. Death to a good man,
is his release from the imprisonment of this world,
and his departure to the enjoyments of another
world. As a Christian, and a minister, Paul had kept
the faith, kept the doctrines of the gospel. What
comfort will it afford, to be able to speak in this
manner toward the end of our days! The crown of
believers is a crown of righteousness, purchased by
the righteousness of Christ. Believers have it not
at present, yet it is sure, for it is laid up for
them. The believer, amidst poverty, pain, sickness,
and the agonies of death, may rejoice; but if the
duties of a man's place and station are neglected,
his evidence of interest in Christ will be darkened,
and uncertainty and distress may be expected to
cloud and harass his last hours.
~Matthew Henry Concise
The crown of righteousness
I. Let us consider the prize the apostle had in
view, “a crown of righteousness.” Royalty is the
highest pitch of human grandeur. Those that wear
earthly crowns have got to the very summit of
earthly honour, and are in that station in which
centers all worldly glory and happiness. What an
idea is this similitude designed to give us then of
that glorious world, where every saint wears an
unfading, incorruptible and immortal crown?
1. This crown consists of perfect and everlasting
righteousness. The sparks of this crown are perfect
holiness and a conformity to God.
2. This crown was purchased by the righteousness of
Jesus Christ. It cost a valuable price, and
therefore is of inestimable worth.
3. We come to the possession of this crown in a way
of righteousness. Its being purchased for us does
not lay a foundation for our slothfulness, sin and
security.
II. Consider the person by whom this crown is
bestowed, and his character as a righteous judge.
This illustrious person is everywhere represented to
be our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, Acts 17:31. Christ
is the appointed person, and He is every way fitted
for the great and important work, He being God as
well as man: He is absolutely incapable of
committing the least mistake or error. And He is a
righteous judge. He will display His righteousness
in the last sentence that He will pass upon every
creature.
Quoted verse:
Acts 17:31
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he
will judge the world in righteousness by that man
whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given
assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him
from the dead.
III. Consider when this crown shall be completely
possessed and be fully given. It is here said to be
given “at that day,” viz.: The day of Christ’s
appearance to judge the world.
IV. Consider the persons to whom this crown shall be
given. “To all those who love His appearing.” The
apostle was one of that happy number. They love His
appearing, for then every enemy will be vanquished.
~Biblical IllustratorAn
assured hope
I. An assured hope is a true and scriptural thing.
It cannot be wrong to feel confidently in a matter
where God speaks unconditionally—to believe
decidedly when God promises decidedly—to have a sure
persuasion of pardon and peace when we rest on the
word and oath of Him that never changes. It is an
utter mistake to suppose that the believer who feels
assurance is resting on anything he sees in himself.
II. A believer may never arrive at this assured
hope, which Paul expresses, and yet be saved. “A
letter,” says an old writer, “may be written, which
is not sealed; so grace may be written in the heart,
yet the Spirit may not set the seal of assurance to
it.” A child may be born heir to a great fortune,
and yet never be aware of his riches; may live
childish, die childish, and never know the greatness
of his possessions.
III. Why an assured hope is exceedingly to be
desired.
1. Because of the present comfort and peace it
affords.
2. Because it tends to make a Christian an active
working Christian.
3. Because it tends to make a Christian a decided
Christian.
4. Be cause it tends to make the holiest Christians.
IV. Some probable causes why an assured hope is so
seldom attained.
1. A defective view of the doctrine of
justification.
2. Slothfulness about growth in grace.
3. An inconsistent walk in life.
~Biblical Illustrator
Now to the specific commentaries. The commentaries
break the verse into 5 to 7 parts. We will use the
six in the Barnes Notes.
1] Henceforth there is laid up for me.
2] A crown of righteousness.
3] Which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give
me.
4] At that day.
5] And not to me only.
6] But unto all them also that love his appearing.
1] Henceforth there is laid up for
me.
Henceforth there is laid up
for me - At the end of my race, as there was
a crown in reserve for those who had successfully
striven in the Grecian games; compare the notes on 1
Corinthians 9:25. The word “henceforth” - λοιπὸν
loipon - means “what remains, or as to the rest;”
and the idea is, that that was what remained of the
whole career. The race had been run; the conflict
had been waged; and all which was now necessary to
complete the whole transaction, was merely that the
crown be bestowed. ~Barnes
Notes
Henceforth there is laid up
for me a crown of righteousness - The
happiness of the future state of the saints is
signified by a crown, on account of the glory and
excellency of it; and in perfect agreement with the
character of the saints, as kings; and who are
raised to sit among princes, and to inherit the
throne of glory, and have a kingdom prepared for
them; and this is called a crown "of righteousness",
because it comes through the righteousness of
Christ. ~John Gill
For me - and thee; for
particular persons, for all the vessels of mercy,
for all that are chosen in Christ Jesus, and
redeemed by his blood, and sanctified by his Spirit.
~John Gill
2] A crown of righteousness.
A crown of righteousness
- That is, a crown won in the cause of
righteousness, and conferred as the reward of his
conflicts and efforts in the cause of holiness. It
was not the crown of ambition; it was not a garland
won in struggles for earthly distinction; it was
that which was the appropriate reward of his efforts
to be personally holy, and to spread the principles
of holiness as far as possible through the world.
~Barnes Notes
Henceforth there is laid up
for me a crown of righteousness - This I can
claim as my due; but the crown I expect is not one
of fading leaves, but a crown of righteousness; the
reward which God, in his kindness, has promised to
them who are faithful to the grace he has bestowed
upon them. ~Adam Clarke
3] Which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, shall give me.
Which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, shall give me - The Lord Jesus,
appointed to judge the world, and to dispense the
rewards of eternity. It will be seen in the last day
that the rewards of heaven are not conferred in an
arbitrary manner, but that they are bestowed because
they ought to be, or that God is righteous and just
in doing it. No man will be admitted to [the
Kingdom] who ought not, under all the
circumstances of the case, to be admitted there; no
one will be excluded who ought to have been saved.
~Barnes Notes
The Lord, the righteous Judge
[shall give me]
- He alludes here to the brabeus, or umpire in the
Grecian games, whose office it was to declare the
victor, and to give the crown.
~Adam Clarke
4] At that day.
At that day - That is,
the time when he will come to judge the world;
Matthew 25. ~Barnes Notes
At that day - The day
of judgment; the morning of the resurrection from
the dead. ~Adam Clarke
At that day - either at
the day of death, the time of his dissolution, which
was at hand; or at the day of the resurrection [which
are virtually the same thing from the view point of
the person who has died].
~John Gill
5] And not to me only.
And not to me only -
“Though my life has been spent in laboriously
endeavoring to spread his religion; though I have
suffered much, and labored long; though I have
struggled hard to win the prize, and now have it
full in view, yet I do not suppose that it is to be
conferred on me alone. It is not like the wreath of
olive, laurel, pine, or parsley (See
the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:25), which
could be conferred only on one victor (See
the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:24); but
here every one may obtain the crown who strives for
it. The struggle is not between me and a competitor
in such a sense that, if ‘I’ obtain the crown, ‘he’
must be excluded; but it is a crown which ‘he” can
obtain as well as ‘I.’ As many as run - as many as
fight the good fight - as many as keep the faith -
as many as love his appearing, may win the crown as
well as I.” Such is religion, and such is the manner
in which its rewards differ from all others.
Quoted verse
1 Corinthians 9:25
And every man that striveth for the mastery is
temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
At the Grecian games, but one could obtain the
prize; 1 Corinthians 9:24. All the rest who
contended in those games, no matter how numerous
they were, or how skillfully they contended, or how
much effort they made, were of course subjected to
the mortification of a failure, and to all the
ill-feeling and envy to which such a failure might
give rise. So it is in respect to all the prizes
which this world can bestow. In a lottery, but one
can obtain the highest prize; in a class in college,
but one can secure the highest honor; in the
scramble for office, no matter how numerous the
competitors may be, or what may be their merits, but
one can obtain it. All the rest are liable to the
disappointments and mortifications of defeat. Not so
in religion. No matter how numerous the competitors,
or how worthy any one of them may be, or how
pre-eminent above his brethren, yet all may obtain
the prize; all may be crowned with a diadem of life,
of equal brilliancy. No one is excluded because
another is successful; no one fails of the reward
because another obtains it. Who, then, would not
make an effort to win the immortal crown?
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
1 Corinthians 9:24
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all,
but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may
obtain.
6] But unto all them also that love
his appearing.
Unto all them also that love
his appearing - That is, unto all who desire
his second coming. To believe in the second advent
of the Lord Jesus to judge the world, and to desire
his return, became a kind of a criterion by which
Christians were known. No others but true Christians
were supposed to believe in that, and no others
truly desired it; compare Revelation 1:7; Revelation
22:20. It is so now. It is one of the
characteristics of a true Christian that he
sincerely desires the return of his Saviour, and
would welcome his appearing in the clouds of heaven.
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verses:
Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall
see him, and they also which pierced him: and all
kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.
Even so, Amen.
Revelation 22:20
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I
come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Unto all them also that love
his appearing - All who live in expectation
of the coming of Christ, who anticipate it with
joyfulness, having buried the world and laid up all
their hopes above. Here is a reward, but it is a
reward not of debt but of grace; for it is by the
grace of God that even an apostle is fitted for
glory. And this reward is common to the faithful; it
is given, not only to apostles, but to all them that
love his appearing. This crown is laid up - it is in
view, but not in possession. We must die first.
~Adam Clarke
Recap to this Lesson:
1] For good soldiers of Christ, there is a crown of
righteousness laid up for us.
2] That crown is our encouragement to endure the
hardships of this life.
3] Nothing in this life is of any value compared to
winning Christ
4] The character we build is that thing in us that
loves the return of Christ.
5] Jesus is a righteous Judge.
6] Our crown of righteousness was purchased by the
righteousness of Christ.
7] We do not have the crown yet but it is a sure
thing for those remaining in the salvation process.
8] The crown is perfect holiness and a conformity to
God.
9] The crown of righteousness is our assured hope.
10] This assured hope promotes our being an active
working Christian
11] Not all called will understand or attain this
hope due to not understanding it, being slothful
and/or inconsistent in following Christ.
12] Firstfruits have buried the world and laid up
all their hopes on things above.
These are the lessons of verse 8. |