Recently, someone asked me about the crowns mentioned in the New Testament. That is, my friend wanted to learn about the crowns a believer might receive. His question prompted me to do some research, and I thought I would share my findings with you.
“Crown” in the New Testament (stephanos in Greek) can refer to a king’s golden crown or to the woven leaf crown an athlete received for winning a competition. Of course, we all recall that the Roman soldiers crowned Jesus Christ with a crown of thorns. The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary states that the crowns mentioned in the New Testament have a “figurative significance,” which means the crowns are symbolic, not physical crowns.
What crowns might a Christian receive? There are five different crowns listed in the New Testament:
The Imperishable Crown (1 Corinthians 9:25-27, NKJV)
25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
The Lord awards this crown to believers who live the Christian life with discipline and perseverance. Like champion athletes they train diligently and discipline themselves in order to win the prize—not a leafy crown that will wither, but a crown that will never fade. These believers avoid any activity that would compromise their Christian walk.
The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, NKJV)
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
Paul evangelized in both Philippi and Thessalonica on his second missionary journey. In these verses he describes the fruit of his evangelistic ministry as his glory and joy. Thus, this crown will be awarded to believers who have won people to Christ. You might call it the “soul winner’s crown.”
The Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7–8, NKJV)
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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.
Paul often used athletic metaphors in his epistles, and so it is here. He compares himself to an athlete who has finished and won his race. Now, he’s waiting for the award ceremony. The crown he’ll receive honors him for finishing his life of service and doing so in “good” fashion. Thankfully, he adds that any Christian can receive this crown by faithfully serving the Lord and longing for the Lord’s appearing.
The Crown of Life (James 1:12, NKJV)
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Revelation 2:10, NKJV
10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
The Lord will award this crown to believers who resist temptation (James 1:12) and those who endure persecution, even unto death. Some commentators call this “the martyr’s crown.” Those who die for the Lord will receive this crown.
If you find yourself in Richmond, Virginia, I would encourage you to visit the International Mission Board’s International Learning Center (ILC). This is where the IMB trains new missionaries. The ILC is located in Rockville, about 10 miles outside of Richmond. In the ILC is a long gallery that features many brass plaques on the wall. On each plaque is engraved the name of an IMB missionary who died, serving the Lord overseas. You can find Lottie Moon’s plaque and you can find the plaques of missionaries I served with, like Randy and Kathy Arnett. Those who were “faithful until death” will receive this special crown, the “crown of life.”
The Unfading Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:1–4, NJKV)
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but [a]willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being [b]lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
This passage applies to elders/pastors who shepherd God’s flock willingly and faithfully rather than for financial rewards. If they serve their congregations faithfully and set a good example, they will receive the “crown of glory” that does not wither like an athletic crown.
When and where will believers receive these crowns? The New Testament does not specify the time and place, but I believe these crowns will be presented at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Second Corinthians 5:10 states, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. That each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (NKJV) Again, this is my opinion, not an explicit biblical teaching.
It is important to understand these crowns are not like merit badges that Boy Scouts earn. I was a Boy Scout, and I remember meeting a boy at a Boy Scout Jamboree who had a sash covered with merit badges. No, you shouldn’t think you can receive all five.
What shall believers do with their crowns? A common idea is that Christians will cast (or lay) their crowns at Jesus’ feet. This comes from Revelation 4:10—“The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne.” (NKJV) This verse speaks of the twenty-four elders doing the casting, but it does not mention the saints. It’s not hard to imagine faithful Christians following their example in casting their crowns at the feet of Jesus, but that’s reading into the text. Nevertheless, the focus in heaven will not be on Christians comparing crowns but rather on praising Jesus Christ, giving Him the honor and glory.
