There are five crowns mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. These crowns are a metaphor for the rewards that we may receive for being faithful in obedience to the teachings of the Scriptures.

Before getting into the passages for the crowns, we must first understand that there are two Greek words that are translated in the English as crown.

 1. Diadem. A king’s crown. It is the crown of a sovereign and of a person who is royal by his nature and by his position, a king. This is the kind of crown that Jesus wears.

2. Stephanos. This is a crown given to an overcomer, a victor, one who has won a race.

These are kinds of crowns available to believers because they overcame in the spiritual warfare and are now crowned at the Judgment Seat of the Messiah.

 1. The Incorruptible Crown

The first crown is called the incorruptible or imperishable crown and is found in I Corinthians 9:23-27.

(23)  And I do all things for the  [a] gospel’s sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof.  (24)  Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.  (25)  And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.  (26)  I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air:  (27)  but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

This crown is for those that exercise self-control and have gained the mastery and victory in the spiritual life. Paul uses sporting language to describe those that discipline themselves just as athletes do; in their food prep, training and well being so that they are ready to compete in a sporting event. However, the crown they would receive is a corruptible wreath, which would decay and disintegrate while the crown believers would receive is one that is incorruptible.

Paul points out that he runs but not with uncertainty and he fights but not as if he is shadow boxing and he disciplines his body to bring it into submission so that Paul himself would not be disqualified from receiving this reward.

 2. The Crown of Rejoicing

The second crown is the crown of rejoicing and is found in I Thessalonians 2:19.

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

This reward is for those that win souls for the Lord; those that do the work of evangelism, and the fruits of their labour are seen in those that are coming to the Lord. Many may not see the fruit of their labours until glory.

 3. The Crown of Righteousness

The third crown is the crown of righteousness and is found in II Timothy 4:7-8.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at the day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.

This is the crown for those who have kept the faith both doctrinally and morally despite adverse circumstances. It is a crown given to those who love his appearing, those who look longingly for the return of the Messiah as the result of sound doctrine and keeping the faith. A life lived in conformity with the New Testament will include the expectation of the soon return of the Lord. For such there is the crown of righteousness.

This is not to say that we become so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly use. Looking forward to Messiah’s return and knowing that it is imminent should cause us to be urgent, diligent, and busy being about our Father’s business.

 4. The Crown of Life

The fourth crown is the crown of life and is found in two passages, James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10.

James 1:12. Blessed is the man that endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.

Revelation 2:10. Fear not the things which you are about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be you faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

This reward is given to those that have endured temptation without giving in to sin and to those that have been martyred for their faith in Christ Jesus. They have remained faithful to Yeshua the Messiah even unto death.

 5. The Crown of Glory

The fifth and final crown mentioned in Scripture is the crown of glory found in I Peter 5:2-4.

Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, accordance to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of

glory that fadeth not away.

This is the crown for faithfully feeding the flock of God. It is available to those pastors, elders and others who feed the sheep with the milk and meat of the Word of God.

There may be other crowns available, but these are the only ones referred to in the Word of God. At least these five are available to those whose works remain, which were built of gold, silver, and precious stones.

These rewards of crowns are for the purpose of determining the degree of authority in the Messianic Kingdom and not for the Eternal Order. In eternity, all believers will be equal, but not so in the Kingdom where believers may have different positions of authority. In parabolic form this truth is found in Luke 19:11-27. Knowing what God rewards should reveal to us what is important to God, and it has to do with being faithful and obedient to the teachings of Scripture and to what God has given each believer.

If God has given you five minas, then work to earn five more, if He has given you two minas, the work to gain two more for the Lord. Do not be like the servant that hid the mina that God gave him and did not even earn any interest for what he was given.

 Arnold Fruchtenbaum – The Footsteps of the Messiah

DTBM – Dr. John Barnett