2 Timothy 4:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δικαιοσύνης
of righteousness
G1343
δικαιοσύνης
of righteousness
Strong's:
G1343
Word #:
6 of 31
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
στέφανος
a crown
G4735
στέφανος
a crown
Strong's:
G4735
Word #:
7 of 31
a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fille
ὃν
which
G3739
ὃν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
8 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀποδώσει
shall give
G591
ἀποδώσει
shall give
Strong's:
G591
Word #:
9 of 31
to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
12 of 31
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἐκείνῃ
that
G1565
ἐκείνῃ
that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
14 of 31
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρᾳ
day
G2250
ἡμέρᾳ
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
16 of 31
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δίκαιος
the righteous
G1342
δίκαιος
the righteous
Strong's:
G1342
Word #:
18 of 31
equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
24 of 31
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
James 1:12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.Revelation 2:10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.1 Peter 5:4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.1 Peter 1:4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,2 Timothy 1:12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.1 Corinthians 9:25And 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.Colossians 1:5For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;Psalms 31:19Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!Revelation 1:7Behold, 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.Titus 2:13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Historical Context
Ancient athletic victors received perishable wreaths—laurel, olive, pine—which withered quickly despite temporary glory. Paul contrasts with imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:25). Early Christians faced persecution, making Christ's return urgent hope providing courage for martyrdom. If this life were all, martyrdom would be foolish loss. But confidence in future reward and Christ's vindication enabled courageous suffering. The question "Do you love His appearing?" distinguished genuine believers (who longed for Christ's return) from worldly Christians (who preferred this age to continue indefinitely).
Questions for Reflection
- Do you genuinely love Christ's appearing, longing for His return, or secretly prefer He delay so you can enjoy earthly pleasures?
- How does confident expectation of future reward motivate present faithfulness and willingness to suffer for Christ?
- What does it mean practically to 'love His appearing'—how should this love shape your daily priorities and eternal perspective?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. Having declared completion, Paul anticipates reward. "Henceforth there is laid up for me" (loipon apokeitai moi, λοιπὸν ἀπόκειταί μοι). Loipon (λοιπόν) means henceforth, from now on. Apokeimai (ἀπόκειμαι) means be stored up, reserved, kept safe—like treasure deposited for future retrieval. Present tense indicates current reality already secured: the crown is waiting.
"A crown of righteousness" (ho tēs dikaiosynēs stephanos, ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος). Stephanos (στέφανος) is victor's wreath, not royal diadem (diadēma). Athletes received laurel wreaths; believers receive righteousness crown. The genitive could mean the crown consisting of righteousness or the crown rewarding righteousness. Both fit: believers receive perfect righteousness (glorification) as reward for faithfulness. This isn't works-righteousness—salvation is grace—but rewards for faithful service (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).
The giver: "the Lord, the righteous judge" (ho kyrios ho dikaios kritēs, ὁ κύριος ὁ δίκαιος κριτής). Dikaios (δίκαιος) means righteous, just—His judgments are perfectly fair. Kritēs (κριτής) means judge. The timing: "at that day" (en ekeinē tē hēmera, ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ)—Christ's return (1:12, 18; 4:1). Crucially, this promise extends to "all them also that love his appearing" (pasin tois ēgapēkosi tēn epiphaneian autou, πᾶσιν τοῖς ἠγαπηκόσι τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ). Perfect participle indicates ongoing love for Christ's return. Those who long for His appearing will receive the crown. Loving Christ's return proves genuine faith.