'...And now there is prepared for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing...' This sense that a crown awaits you, if not today then tomorrow, is known to every true Christian. Without it, our Christianity is not genuine...
'...And now there is prepared for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing...' This sense that a crown awaits you, if not today then tomorrow, is known to every true Christian. Without it, our Christianity is not genuine. But what is the 'crown of truth' or 'crown of righteousness,' as Bishop Cassian translates, and is every suffering of ours this crown? In such translations it seems to us that this crown is something prepared only for saints. The word 'crown' itself sounds lofty, and adding to it the predicate of truth or righteousness raises the whole expression to a height inaccessible to ordinary mortals. How then are we to understand the apostle Paul's words that the crown is prepared for 'all'?
Let us turn to the Greek text. There stands the expression 'dikaiosynes stephanos.' Among its meanings there are indeed righteousness, rightness, truthfulness, faithfulness to law, desert, and worthiness; but in addition there are several somewhat different meanings, according to Dvoretsky's Ancient Greek-Russian Dictionary. Let us look at them: first, 'even, exact'; second, 'suitable'; third, 'having a right'; and finally, simply 'obligated.' Of course, the apostle hardly intended to put all these meanings into the text at once. But since we do not know his intentions exactly, by choosing only an elevated style we risk distorting the thought. Therefore it is no sin to look more closely at other, though related, meanings.
In fact, each of the four meanings given here is close to us. 'Even, exact' - for everyone knows that God gives us a crown exactly according to our strength. Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh observes that there is a certain boundary in attaining such spiritual clarity of sight that one can see one's soul in its true light, see it and freeze in horror at what is seen, sway as if about to fall - and yet stand. This state is familiar to everyone who has ever made an honest confession. 'Suitable': and is not the crown that God gives the only one, suitable only for me? As soon as we grasp at what is not ours, at a ministry not intended for us by God or simply not blessed by Him, we suffer shameful failure, drawing other people into it as well. We 'have the right' to our crown, for we received this right together with faith. And finally, we are simply 'obligated' to take it: for we are not saints and not martyrs; we are simply doing what we must.
4
4:6 The time of my departure is at hand - So undoubtedly God had shown him. I am ready to be offered up - Literally, to be poured out, as the wine and oil were on the ancient sacrifices.
4:8 The crown of that righteousness - Which God has imputed to me and wrought in me. Will render to all - This increases the joy of Paul, and encourages Timotheus. Many of these St. Paul himself had gained. That have loved his appearing - Which only a real Christian can do. I say a real Christian, to comply with the mode of the times: else they would not understand, although the word Christian necessarily implies whatsoever is holy, as God is holy. Strictly speaking, to join real or sincere to a word of so complete an import, is grievously to debase its noble signification, and is like adding long to eternity or wide to immensity.
4:9 Come to me - Both that he might comfort him, and be strengthened by him. Timotheus himself is said to have suffered at Ephesus.
4:10 Demas - Once my fellowlabourer, Pmn 1:24.Hath forsaken me. Crescens, probably a preacher also, is gone, with my consent, to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia, having now left Crete. These either went with him to Rome, or visited him there.
4:11 Only Luke - Of my fellowlabourers, is with me - But God is with me; and it is enough. Take Mark - Who, though he once "departed from the work," is now again profitable to me.
4:13 The cloak - Either the toga, which belonged to him as a Roman citizen, or an upper garment, which might be needful as winter came on. Which I left at Troas with Carpus - Who was probably his host there. Especially the parchments - The books written on parchment.
4:14 The Lord will reward him - This he spoke prophetically.
4:16 All - My friends and companions. Forsook me - And do we expect to find such as will not forsake us? My first defence - Before the savage emperor Nero.
4:17 The preaching - The gospel which we preach.
4:18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work - Which is far more than delivering me from death. Yea, and,over and above, preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom - Far better than that of Nero.
4:20 When I came on, Erastus abode at Corinth - Being chamberlain of the city, Rom 16:23.But Trophimus I have left sick - Not having power (as neither had any of the apostles) to work miracles when he pleased, but only when God pleased.