2 Timothy 4:8

λοιπόν : For what remains. The R.V. renders it besides in 1 Corinthians 1:16, moreover in 1 Corinthians 4:2. The notion of duration of future time is not in the word any more than in the French du reste. St. Paul means here “I have nothing more to do than to receive the crown”. λοιπόν has the sense of in conclusion in 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:1, and does not differ from τὸ λοιπὸν as used in Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; or τοῦ λοιποῦ as used in Galatians 6:17; Ephesians 6:10. The meaning of τὸ λοιπόν in 1 Corinthians 7:29; Hebrews 10:13 is henceforth.

ἀπόκειται : reposita est (Vulg.). Cf. Colossians 1:5, διὰ τὴν ἐλπίδα τὴν ἀποκειμένην ὑμῖν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, and, for the sentiment, 1 Peter 1:4.

ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος : The whole context demands that this should be the possessive genitive, The crown which belongs to, or is the due reward of, righteousness, the incorruptible crown of 1 Corinthians 9:25. The verbal analogies of στέφ. τῆς ζωῆς, James 1:12; Revelation 2:10, and στέφ. τῆς δόξης, 1 Peter 5:4, support the view that it is the gen. of apposition; but it is difficult on this supposition to give the phrase an intelligible meaning. “Good works, which are the fruits of Faith and follow after Justification … are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ” (Art. xii.). It is to be noted that στεφ. τῆς δικ. is applied to the golden fillet worn by the high priest in the Tests. of the Twelve Patriarchs, Levi, viii. 2.

ἀποδώσει : reddet (Vulg.). As long as we agree to the statement that Moses ἀπέβλεπεν εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν (Hebrews 11:26), it seems trifling to dispute the retributive force of ἀπο - in this word. Of course “the reward is not reckoned as of debt, but as of grace”. St. Paul could say, “It is a righteous thing with God to recompense (ἀνταποδοῦναι) … to you that are afflicted rest with us” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7), see also Romans 2:6.

ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ : see on 2 Timothy 1:12.

ὁ δίκαιος κριτής : The notion expressed in this phrase goes back to Genesis 18:25. For the actual words, see reff.

οὐ μόνον δὲ … ἀλλὰ καί : See on 1 Timothy 5:13.

τοῖς ἠγαπηκόσι τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ : The ἐπιφάνεια here meant is the Second Coming of Christ. Those who love it do not fear it, for “there is no fear in love” (1 John 4:18); they endeavour to make themselves increasingly ready and fit for it (1 John 3:3); when they hear the Lord say, “I come quickly,” their hearts respond, “Amen; come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). The perfect tense is used because their love will have continued up to the moment of their receiving the crown, or because St. Paul is thinking of them from the standpoint of the day of crowning.