2 Timothy 4:8
8 Henceforth [loipon] there is
laid up [apokeimai] for me [moi] a crown [stephanos] of
righteousness, [dikaiosune] which [hos] the Lord, [kurios] the
righteous [dikaios] judge, [krites] shall give [apodidomi] me [moi] at [en] that [ekeinos] day: [hemera] and [de] not [ou] to me [emoi] only, [monon] but [alla] unto all them [pas] also [kai] that love [agapao] his [autos] appearing. [epiphaneia] KJV-Interlinear
8 in the
future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to
all who have loved His appearing. NASB
There are five crowns
mentioned in the Bible.
Three of the crowns
apply to ones self: the crown of victory
or incorruption - 1 Cor. 9:25,
the crown of life - James 1:12, Rev. 2:10-11, and
the crown of
righteousness - 2 Tim. 4:8.
And, the other two
crowns apply to others that your life may affect:
the crown of rejoicing
or soul winner - Phil. 4:1,
1 Thes. 2:19, and
the crown of glory - 1 Pet. 5:4.
The first three crowns
deal with residence in fellowship (crown of victory),
testing in ones life or
trials in ones life (crown of life), and
the attainment of
integrity or spiritual maturity (the crown of righteousness).
These three crowns
apply to your own personal self.
The last two crowns
deal with bringing others to Christ or their salvation through your evangelism
(the crown of rejoicing or soul winner), and
your activity (support)
with regard to helping others learn doctrine and to grow up in their spiritual
life (the crown of glory).
All five crowns are
available to everyone for winning as their possession. Crowns are representative of phenomenal
rewards of the spiritual life, both in time and especially in eternity. We are warned to hold fast onto the crowns
that we have, lest others may take them away.
Crowns are
representations of Gods blessings or rewards, for ones attainment of these
various components of the spiritual life.
And here the crown of
righteousness is mentioned, indicating the completion of ones spiritual growth
to maturity as far as this earthly life is concerned.
When is this award
awarded? On that day, or the day of the
Lord, which in this context refers to the Judgment Seat of Christ. That will occur immediately following the
Rapture for those believers who have lived in this dispensation.
This crown as with the
rest of the crowns, do not refer to salvation.
Paul is already saved. Timothy is
already saved. They are not waiting
until they get to heaven before they are awarded salvation. Salvation occurs at the very moment that you
believed in Christ.
These crowns are descriptive
phrases referring to awards of blessings.
When a person wins the
gold, they then are in line for promotional income from advertising, for the
prize money, for whatever goes along with the victory.
Note, you have to win
before you receive the prize intended for the winner.
Crown, ‘stephanos,’ is
not a reference to the crown of royalty, but is a reference to a wreath, an
award, a symbol of honor. Attached to
that honor is more than just an award of a medal or a wreath, this crown comes
with prizes, money, property, titles and so forth.
Therefore, there is an
incentive, undefined, yet symbolized through the many examples of victory
prizes that have occurred throughout history.
If love of doctrine is
not enough, then the enticement of vast wealth should be.
For who receives the
prize? The winner.
Who does not receive
the prize? All who do not win.
Who is victory in the
spiritual life available to?
Everyone. Everyone who is willing
to pursue and actually does pursue their spiritual life to spiritual maturity.
And who is to blame if
you do not win the race for spiritual maturity and victory? You, and only you are to blame for your
failure.
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