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.
A crown - rather, as Greek, 'the crown:' not of withering leaves; not awarded by human umpire, nor before human spectators, but angels. The "Henceforth" marks the decisive moment: he regards his state in a threefold aspect:
(1) The past, I have fought;
(2) The immediately present, there is laid up [reserved: apokeitai (G606)] for me;
(3) The future, the Lord will give in that day (Bengel).
A garland used to be bestowed at the Greek national games on the successful competitor in wrestling, etc. (cf. James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4).
Of righteousness - in recognition of righteousness worked in Paul by God's Spirit: prepared for the righteous: at the same time a crown which consists in righteousness. Righteousness will be its own reward (Revelation 22:11). Compare Exodus 39:30. A man is justified gratuitously by Christ's merits through faith; when he is so justified, God accepts his works, and honours them with a reward, not their due, but given of grace. 'So great is God's goodness that He wills that His people's works should be merits, though they are merely his great is God's goodness that He wills that His people's works should be merits, though they are merely his own gifts' ('Ep.' Pope Celestine I. 12).
Give, х apodoosei (G591)] - 'award' in righteous requital as 'Judge' (Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).
At that day - not until His appearing (2 Timothy 1:12). The blessed sentence on the "brethren" of the Judge, who sit with Him on His throne, is, in Matthew 25:40, taken for granted as already awarded, when that affecting those who benefited them is being passed at the general judgment after the millennium (Bengel). The elect who reign with Christ in the millennium are fewer than the latter. The righteous heavenly Judge stands in contrast to the unrighteous earthly judges who condemned Paul.
Me - individual appropriation х eegapeekosin (G25)].
Them also that love - have loved and do love: habitual desire for Christ's appearing: the test of faith (cf. Hebrews 9:28). They have it not who dread Christ's appearing. A sad contrast, 2 Timothy 4:10, "loved this present world."