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 Tim 4:8.

The phrase, "there is laid up" appears in Colossians 1:5. We can see its exact meaning there. "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel," Colossians 1:5.

That for which the child of God hopes is the "crown if righteousness" to which Paul refers in our text.

• The child of God is an "overcomer" despite our many falls and set-backs and defeats.
• Our life of victory began at our conversion. 1 John 2:12-15, 4:4-6.
• Our overcoming is due to Christ's victory, John 16:33.
• Thus we are enabled to overcome sin, Romans 12:21.
• Even when we appear to suffer defeat, we remain overcomers through Christ. Compare Revelation 13:7 and 15:2
• The finale of our overcoming is that moment when we receive the winner's garland from the hand of the Saviour.