“Henceforth 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” (2 Timothy 4:8 ESV).
The apostle Paul wrote these words to Timothy from his imprisonment in Rome. This letter was probably his last, written before his martyrdom under the Roman emperor Nero. He wrote to encourage Timothy and to describe his confident expectation of the eternal life and reward that awaited him and all those who love the appearing of Jesus.
Paul often used the metaphor of an athlete competing in the games to describe the life of faith. As he closed his letter, he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (7). He had persevered and looked forward with anticipation to receiving the “crown of righteousness.”
There are two words for “crown” in the Greek, “diadema” (διάδημα) and “stephanos” (στέφανος). The first is a royal crown, symbolizing sovereign authority. The second is a victor’s crown or wreath symbolizing reward. It was this latter crown of which Paul spoke.
The crown of righteousness, however, is not earned through human effort but is a gift granted by Christ’s righteousness to all who place their faith in Him. Paul’s confidence in this reward reflects his anticipation of meeting Jesus, as well as his assurance that God will reward his faithful endurance.
Do you love Christ’s appearing? Do you look for His soon return? Are you looking to Jesus as you run life’s race in anticipation of crossing the finish line? For all who live in such a way will be awarded the crown of righteousness on that day.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to look to Jesus as we run life’s race. For He is the founder and perfecter of our faith, the forerunner who has already prepared the way for us. Help us to order up our days with our hearts and minds set on Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.