Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Timothy 4:8

λοιπὸν�.τ.λ. Henceforth is laid up for me the crown of righteousness.

λοιπὸν is used here (as at Acts 27:20) in its strict sense of from this time forward, henceforth, for the time that remains; it is sometimes used in a looser sense to introduce a clause, = ‘moreover,’ ‘finally’ &c. (1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:1 &c.).

For the use of ἀπόκεισθαι cp. Colossians 1:5, διὰ τὴν ἐλπίδα τὴν�, and 2Ma 12:45.

ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος, the crown of righteousness, sc. (probably) the crown appropriate to the righteous man, and belonging to righteousness. The force of the gen. would thus be quite different from that which it has in ‘the crown of life’ (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10) or ‘the crown of glory’ (1 Peter 5:4). If we take these phrases as strictly parallel, the reward spoken of here would be righteousness, as a crown. See the note on 1 Timothy 6:12.

ὃν�, which the Lord, sc. Christ, will give to me in that day, sc. the day of the last Judgement. For ἀποδιδόναι in such a context cp. Romans 2:6; ἀπό suggests the idea of requital or reward. For the phrase ἐκείνη ἡ ἡμέρα cp. 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:18 and 2 Thessalonians 1:10.

ὁ δίκαιος κριτής, the righteous judge. The title goes back to Psalms 7:11; cp. also 2Ma 12:6; 2Ma 12:41 and 2 Thessalonians 1:5.

οὐ μόνον δὲ ἐμοὶ�.τ.λ. For this form of expression cp. 1 Timothy 5:13 and 3Ma 3:23.

πᾶσι τοῖς ἠγαπηκόσι τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ, to all those who have loved, and do love, His appearing. For ἐπιφάνεια see note on 1 Timothy 6:14. “The remark of Calvin is gravely suggestive; ‘e fidelium numero excludit quibus formidabilis est Christi adventus’: thus then we may truly say with Leo, ‘habemus hic lapidem Lydium, quo examinemus corda nostra’ ” (Ellicott).

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Timothy 4:8

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