What Does 2 Timothy 4:8 Mean in the King James?

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.

2 Timothy 4:8 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The crown is named for the same alignment embodied by the righteous judge who gives it.

THE MEANING

Righteousness is held in reserve as a gift from the righteous judge. The promise extends beyond one person to all who love his appearing, making what is coming into view a shared hope.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the belief that the promised gift belongs only to the speaker: the verse extends it to all who love his appearing.

THE ROOT

δικαιοσύνης

dikaiosynēs

GROWS FROM

δικ-

dik-

What is right or just; what is in alignment with what is right.

The Greek calls the judge ⁨δίκαιος⁩ (dikaios, righteous) and the crown ⁨δικαιοσύνη⁩ (dikaiosynē, righteousness): both grow from the same word family. The gift’s name echoes the character of the one who gives it.

ALSO GROWS

dikaios: Righteous, just

δίκαιος

This is the same word family used for the judge’s character in the verse.

dikaioō: Justify, vindicate

δικαιόω

The root also appears in language of a verdict that recognizes what is right.

ἐπιφάνειαν

epiphaneian

GROWS FROM

φαίνω

phainō

To appear, become visible, or shine.

The appearing is something coming into view. The verse joins love to that manifestation: those who love the Lord’s appearing welcome what is revealed.

ALSO GROWS

phainō: Appear, shine

φαίνω

This is the root idea beneath the coming into view named in the verse.

epiphainō: Appear, shine upon

ἐπιφαίνω

This related form makes the sense of an appearance becoming visible especially clear.

ἀπόκειται

apokeitai

GROWS FROM

κεῖμαι

keimai

To lie, be laid, or be situated.

“laid up” in this verse is apokeitai. The verb pictures the crown as already laid away in reserve. Its future giving is held as a present promise, with the judge as its source.

ALSO GROWS

apokeimai: Be stored or reserved

ἀπόκειμαι

This is the form behind “laid up,” presenting the crown as kept in reserve.

prokeimai: Be set before

πρόκειμαι

This related form can describe what lies ahead, echoing the promised gift awaiting its day.

THE PATTERN

The Lord’s appearing brings judgment and the awaited gift into view for those who look toward him.

Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

Psalm 98:9 · KJVThe LORD’s coming and judgment are joined with righteousness, as in the righteous judge of this verse.

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Titus 2:13 · KJVThe appearing is something to look toward with hope, as it is for those who love it here.

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

1 Peter 5:4 · KJVThe Shepherd’s appearing brings a crown as a gift, echoing the promised crown here.

THE THREAD

(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Romans 2:13 · KJV

“Just” and “justified” here come from the ⁨δικ-⁩ (dik-) word family that also gives “righteous” and “righteousness” in 2 Timothy 4:8. The shared root ties the judge’s character to the alignment named by the crown.

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