Fathers

2 Timothy 4

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I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

2 Timothy 4:8

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." Here again he calls virtue in general righteousness. Thou shouldest not grieve that I shall depart, to be invested with that crown which will by Christ be placed upon my head. But if I continued here, truly thou mightest rather grieve, and fear lest I should fail and perish. "Which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but to all that love His appearing." Here also he raises his mind. If "to all," much more to Timothy. …

Homily on 2 Timothy 9 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

What was said was sufficient for consolation; but here he adds also about the rewards, in order to further encourage the disciple. One should not, he says, grieve or sorrow, because I am departing to receive the crown. By "righteousness" here as well the apostle means virtue in general. He did not say "will give," but "will render," as something owed, as a debt. Being righteous, He will undoubtedly determine the recompense for labors, so that the crown by righteousness must belong to me. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

From now 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 love his appearance. From now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness. Then Paul also comforts Timothy from his sufferings. For who would grieve over one receiving a crown? And of righteousness, as if it were the universal virtue. which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day. …

Commentary On 2 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, "as to the rest," he mentions his hope for a reward: first, he mentions this hope; second, the one who will fulfill this hope, at "which the Lord will render"; third, he mentions the others who will share in that reward, at "who love his coming." He says, therefore: since I have fought and finished the course, nothing remains but to be crowned. It is called a crown of justice, because God will confer it according to justice. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Hippolytus of Rome

These words I address to you as if alive, and with propriety. For ye hold already the crown of life and immortality which is laid up for you in heaven.

Hippolytus Dogmatical and Historical Fragments ↗