From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 8. A crown of justice, which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me. These words confirm the Catholic doctrine, that good works performed with the assistance of God’s grace, deserve and are meritorious of a reward in heaven: it is what is signified, 1. by a crown of justice, 2. from a just judge, 3. which he will render or give as a reward. Yet we own with Saint Augustine that we have no merit, but what is also a gift of God from his grace and mercy, and grounded on his promises. Witham.—“A crown of justice,” which the Protestants translate, of righteousness; but let us see how the learned Saint Augustine, 1400 years ago, expounds the apostle’s meaning: “How should he repay as a just judge, unless he had first given as a merciful Father?” De grat. et lib. arb. c. vi. See Hebrews 6:10. God is not unjust, that he should forget your works; this the Protestants change into, God is not unrighteous.