8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
This verse shows how God is righteous in rewarding His people for service.
which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
The Lord Jesus Christ will execute a “righteous” judgment to believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ. He will not over- or under-award believers for their service (Isa 9:6-7; Jer 23:5-6; 21 Jn 2:1-2). He knows all the facts; His judgment will have no bias, and we will receive the exact reward we deserve.
will give to me on that Day,
Paul expected that God would reward him on the day of the Judgment Seat of Christ. “That Day” refers to the rapture of the church, when we face the Lord to receive our rewards for service (1 Co 15:51-54; Php 1:6, 10; 2:16; 1 Th 4:16-17). The Judgment Seat of Christ follows the rapture.
and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
These people are believers who long for the return of Christ.
PRINCIPLE:
Eternal reward is an incentive for serving God.
APPLICATION:
Christians have a glorious future, a time of reward and fellowship with God forever (Ro 8:18; 2 Co 4:17). One day, we will come to the end of life’s short day, but what will we have done with our lives? Will we receive a crown at the Judgment Seat of Christ? Or will we stand before God bare headed (Ro 14:10; 2 Co 5:10)?
There is only one life; it will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last.
It must have been gratifying to Paul that he had lived for Christ, won many to Him, started many churches, and built many believers. He could say he was ready to die. Can we claim at any point in our lives that we are prepared to die?
