IN THE FUTURE THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME
THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS : loipon apokeitai (3SPMI) moi ho tes dikaiosunes stephanos:
(Ps 31:19; Mt 6:19 20; Col 1:5; 1Ti 6:19) (crown = 2Ti 2:5 Pr 4:9; 1Co
9:25; Js :12; 1Pe 5:4; Rev 2:10; 4:4 10)
"there is reserved
for me the victor’s laurel wreath of righteousness"
(Wuest)
In the future (3062)
(loipon) is more literally finally, for the rest, henceforth,
and it was this "future focus" that enabled Paul to meet the
present persecutions and sufferings with perseverance and blazing hope.
Imprisoned in a dark, dank dungeon facing death, Paul sees beyond the
visible temporal injustices and indignities forced upon him to the
invisible future which promises an "eternal weight of glory far beyond
all comparison." (2Cor 4:17, 18)
The idea
is the race had been run, the conflict had been waged, and all that
remained (henceforth) to complete the whole transaction was merely that
the crown be bestowed, as accurately paraphrased in the Weymouth
translation
From this time onward there is reserved for me the crown of
righteousness.
Paul pictures
himself as a victorious Greek athlete, who, having won his race, is now
looking up to the judge’s stand, awaiting his laurel wreath of victory.
Laid up
(606)
(apokeimai
from
apó = away + keímai
= be laid up, set away) (Click for in depth word study on
apokeimai) means put something away for safekeeping
and was used
"of the laurel wreaths of honor awarded to Olympic winners" and "the
awards made to loyal subjects by oriental sovereigns for services
rendered." (Guthrie)
Apokeimai - 4 uses in the NT - Lk. 19:20; Col. 1:5; 2 Tim. 4:8; Heb.
9:27
Paul
spoke of "the hope
laid
up
for you in heaven"
(Col 1:5-note)
which gives one a picture of the security of our hope and
our "crown
of
righteousness".
Paul has finished the race, the victory has been won, the goal reached
and what remains is the reward which is "laid
up"
for him, safely stored away.
Don't miss the little phrase for
me
(repeated two more times in this verse as "to
me...to me")
-- clearly
Paul believed in personal reward as a legitimate God
ordained motivation for Christian living and serving. Jesus encouraged
believers
lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust destroys (see notes
Matthew 6:19;
6:20;
6:21).
Moses was so motivated that he actually considered
the reproach of
Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to
the reward. (see note
Hebrews 11:26)
Finally
John warned believers
"Watch yourselves, that you might not
lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full
reward." (2Jn
1:8)
Edwards
adds that
Rewards are not a selfish motivation but a scriptural one which is
designed to harness our God-given drive for significance to the things
which will make our lives eternally significant. Rewards mean little to
those who sacrifice little, for their souls are satisfied with earthly
trinkets and enjoyments.
Crown
(4735)
(stephanos from stepho = to encircle, twine
or wreathe) was a wreath made of foliage or designed to resemble foliage
and worn by one of high status or held in high regard.
The stephanos was literally an adornment worn around the head as
a crown of victory in the Greek athletic games, this reward being given to the
runner who crossed the goal first, to the disc thrower with the longest
toss, etc. Apart from recognition of athletes and winners of various
kinds of competitions, in the Greco-Roman world, the awarding of a
crown or wreath signified appreciation for exceptional contributions to
the state or groups within it. The recipients were usually public
officials or civic-minded persons serving at their own expense
Stephanos was used metaphorically to refer to a community of
believers who exist as proof of a worker's success (1Th 2:19,20 - see notes
1Th 2:19;
20).
Here stephanos is that which serves as adornment or source of pride.
Stephanos was the
name of a godly martyr in Acts (see verses below).
Stephanos is used 29 times in the
Septuagint (LXX)
(2 Sam. 12:30; 1 Chr. 20:2; Est. 8:15; Job 19:9; 31:36; Ps. 21:3; 65:10;
Prov. 1:9; 4:9; 12:4; 14:24; 16:31; 17:6; Cant. 3:11; Isa. 22:18, 21;
28:1, 3, 5; 62:3; Jer. 13:18; Lam. 2:15; 5:16; Ezek. 16:12; 21:26;
23:42; 28:12; Zech. 6:11, 14)
Stephanos is used 25 times in the NT. Study the uses
below...
Matthew 27:29 And after
weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in
His right hand; and they kneeled down before Him and mocked Him, saying,
"Hail, King of the Jews!"
Mark 15:17 And they dressed
Him up in purple, and after weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on
Him;
John 19:2 And the soldiers
wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and arrayed Him in
a purple robe...5 Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of
thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold, the Man!"
Acts 6:5 And the statement
found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen,
a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmeand Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch...8
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great
wonders and signs among the people. 9 But some men from what was
called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and
Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with
Stephen.
Acts 7:59 And they went on
stoning Stephen as he called upon the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit!"
Acts 8:2 And some devout men
buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him.
Acts 11:19 So then those who
were scattered because of the persecution that arose in connection with
Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch,
speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone.
Acts 22:20 'And when the blood
of Thy witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by
approving, and watching out for the cloaks of those who were slaying
him.'
1 Corinthians 9:25 And
everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.
They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an
imperishable.
Philippians 4:1-note Therefore, my
beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, so stand
firm in the Lord, my beloved.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-note For who
is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in
the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
2 Timothy 4:8-note 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.
James 1:12-note Blessed is a man
who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will
receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those
who love Him.
1 Peter 5:4-note And when the Chief
Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Revelation 2:10-note 'Do not fear
what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of
you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation
ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown
of life.
Revelation 3:11-note 'I am coming
quickly; hold fast what you have, in order that no one take your
crown.
Revelation 4:4-note And around the
throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four
elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on
their heads...Re 4:10-note the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who
sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and
will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Revelation 6:2-note And I looked,
and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a
crown was given to him; and he went out conquering, and to conquer.
Revelation 9:7-note And the
appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle; and on
their heads, as it were, crowns like gold, and their faces were
like the faces of men.
Revelation 12:1-note And a great
sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon
under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars;
Revelation 14:14-note And I looked,
and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son
of man, having a golden crown on His head, and a sharp sickle in
His hand.
Stephanos should be clearly distinguished from
another Greek word diadema
(1238) which refers to a kingly crown.
In the
first use of stephanos in the NT, Matthew says that
after weaving a
crown
(stephanos) of
thorns,
they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they kneeled
down before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews! (Mt
27:29)
Earlier
Paul had used the verb form (stephanoo) reminding Timothy that
if anyone competes as an athlete, he
does not receive
the
victor's
crown
unless he competes according to the rules. (NIV, see note
2 Timothy 2:5)
The
stephanos was the only prize ancient Olympic athletes received and
thus it was cherished as a great treasure. How much more should we as
believers "run with endurance the race that is set before" (He
12:1-note)
us, knowing that the Olympic athletes
do it to receive a
perishable
wreath (stephanos) but we an imperishable." (See note on
1Cor 9:25)
TDNT has a lengthy note on stephanos...
The crown, as a wreath placed around the head, is a sign of life and
fertility, and perhaps also a symbol of light. It has a place in the
cultus and supposedly wards off evil. The closed crown is used in magic.
The crown expresses joy and honor, but also sorrow. It acknowledges
excellence.
II. Nature. The simplest crown consists of a bent twig or of two
twigs tied together. Wreaths of grass, leaves, or flowers also occur.
The Dionysus cult uses ivy, oak, and acanthus, Neptune and Pan wear
wreaths of fig leaves, and Zeus of laurel. Soldiers wear crowns at
triumphs, and victors wear laurel or olive wreaths. The myrtle signifies
love. Roman magistrates wear gold crowns, and Etruscan crowns, also used
at Rome, are of precious stones and golden oak
III. Use.
1. The Cultus. In cultic acts priests wear various forms of crowns.
Aeneas crowns his brow with twigs when he first treads Roman soil and
prays. Crowns are placed on sacrifices and altars, and are even offered
in sacrifice. Images are crowned when dedicated to cultic use and on the
feasts of the gods. The crown expresses reverence; Empedocles takes it
as a mark of veneration when crowned.
2. Oracles. Crowns evoke true dreams. The person who delivers the oracle
wears a crown. When Creon comes back crowned after consulting the oracle
he is hailed as a messenger of joy. Roman frescoes depict crowned
prophetesses.
3. Processions and Feasts. Crowning takes place in relation to
prayer-processions. On the New Year feast at Rome houses are adorned
with crowns or wreaths. Animals are also crowned or garlanded at various
feasts.
4. A Sign of Salvation and Protection. Various examples show that crowns
are viewed as signs of protection. Thus Tiberius wears a laurel wreath
during thunderstorms. Wreaths are put at the entrances to houses. Crowns
also serve as a means of power and protection in the invocation of gods
or demons in magic.
5. The Mysteries. Mystagogues bear myrtle branches in the Eleusinian
mysteries, and neophytes in the Isis mysteries. A crown is handed to the
mystagogue in the dedication ceremonies of Mithras.
6. Political Life. Cultic and political life are closely related, hence
it is natural that those who hold national office should he crowned.
When politicians give orations in Athens they wear wreaths as a sign of
immunity. The Roman emperor, his family, the priests, and state
officials all wear crowns in processions.
7. The Games. Held in honor of the gods, sporting festivals culminate
when the victors, who struggle hard to win, are crowned with wreaths of
laurel, olive, or ivy. The herald calls their names, and the names of
their fathers and towns, and then hands over the wreaths. The ceremony
ends in their homes, which also bear wreaths. In the final rites they
offer their wreaths to the deity.
8. The Army. The Spartans put on crowns before doing battle, perhaps in
connection with sacrifice and as a sign of protection. In the Roman army
the general wears a crown to purify the troops before battle. The
goddess of victory is depicted with a crown, and there are crowns for
the victors, whether of grass, oak leaves, or laurel. An ancient Roman
custom is to offer prisoners for sale with crowns on; this possibly
derives from a Germanic practice of sacrificing prisoners.
9. Private Life.
a. A Sign of Joy and Respect. Various examples illustrate the use of the
crown or wreath as a mark of joy or respect.
b. Weddings. It is natural that there should be crownings at weddings.
Thus we have depictions of brides with crowns, and the guests at the
wedding feast also wear crowns.
c. Symposia. Wreaths adorn the participants at banquets and the ensuing
symposia, which are held in honor of various gods. The wreaths express
festal joy but also serve to cool the head during drinking. Wreaths are
also placed on the bowls and vessels and on the walls of the rooms where
the feasts are held.
10. The Cult of the Dead. A common custom is to put wreaths on the dead,
on the bier, and on the grave. Permanent wreaths are carved on
gravestones and funds are set up for regular adornment with wreaths. The
wreaths honor the dead but also protect them against demons. Plato hands
down an idea that in Hades there will be a symposium for the righteous
at which they will be adorned with crowns. The mysteries promise
initiates that in the hereafter they will be adorned with crowns and
will enjoy the company of the blessed. (Kittel,
G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New
Testament. Eerdmans)
Barclay adds that stephanos had the following associations
in the ancient world...
(a) the victor's crown
in the games. Smyrna had annual games which were famous all over Asia.
As in the Olympic Games, the reward of the victorious athlete was the
laurel crown. The Christian can win the crown of victory in the contest
of life.
(b)
When a man had faithfully performed the work of a magistrate, at
the end of his term of office he was granted a crown. He who throughout
life faithfully serves Christ and his fellow-men will receive his
crown.
(c)
The heathen world was in the habit of
wearing crowns, chaplets of flowers, at banquets. At the end of the day,
if the Christian is loyal, he will have the joy of sitting as a guest at
the banquet of God.
(d)
The heathen worshippers were in the
habit of wearing crowns when they approached the temples of their gods.
At the end of the day, if he has been faithful, the Christian will have
the joy of entering into the nearer presence of God.
(e)
Some scholars have seen in this crown
a reference to the halo or the nimbus which is round the head of divine
beings in pictures. If that is so, it means that the Christian, if he is
faithful, will be crowned with the life which belongs to God himself. (Barclay,
W: The Daily Study Bible Series. The Westminster Press
or
Logos)
