I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth 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 have loved his appearing.
Paul did not win. He finished.
- With a thorn that kept him from being conceited (2 Corinthians 12:7), he finished.
- While under a constant barrage from the enemy (2 Corinthians 11:23–28), he finished.
- Without even the victory over the flesh (Romans 7:13-25), as a "wretched" man, he finished.
To those that finish, there is a prize . . . a crown (stephanos). But it is not the temporary wreath awarded an athlete:
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
Rather, it is a permanent crown of righteousness, not of their accumulated works, but of Christ's perfect righteousness. Being right with God is not accumulated. You can't be right with God a little more each day. You are either right with God or you are not.
It is a royal gift given to all who finish.
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