The Crowns of the Bible
1 Corinthians 9:25
Intro.:
Sometimes when I preach, I mention other topics which would be worthy of study, and on one occasion I mentioned that it would be good to take time to study the crowns of the New Testament. It took a while, but I finally took the time to do that study and I will share the results with you today. The apostles Paul and John were the ones who wrote the most about the subject of crowns so we will focus on what they wrote in this message.
I found out that the Bible contains two words for crown, and they represent different kinds of crowns: The word “diadem” (“diadema” in Greek) refers to the kind of crown a king would wear. It is one of the symbols of power (along with the scepter the king would hold). Although a king’s crown is honorable, it is not so much an honor (like a reward), as much as it is a matter of destiny. Most kings are born into their positions.
On the other hand, the victors crown, (“stephanos” in the Greek) represents something which encircles for the purpose of honoring. Most crowns of this type were given for winning an athletic event, distinguished service, military prowess, nuptial joy, or to celebrate certain holidays. The typical crown was a garland of oak, ivy, parsley, myrtle, or olive which was placed around the neck or woven into a wreath and placed on the head of the honoree. In time they substituted gold in place of the leaves.
Referring to this type of crown, Paul wrote, (1 Cor 9:25 NIV) "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” Paul compared the fading glory of a crown made of leaves to the crown of glory which the Christian enjoys forever in Heaven. With that in mind let me point out the first thing I want you to know about Biblical Crowns:
1. The Nature of the crown: “incorruptible”
These crowns will last forever. That is even more important when you look at how earthly things tarnish and wear out. Have you ever seen a trophy case of old trophies? The older they are the less shiny and impressive they get. I’ve seen old trophies that were downright embarrassing to look at.
The same thing is certainly true of old crowns made of ivy leaves, or garlands made of flowers. In India, whenever I preached I would get a garland made of carnations or roses or some other kind of flower. (This was done as a gesture of honor.) They smelled nice at first, but they were bulky and awkward (most of them would hang down almost to your knees), and after your fourth or fifth garland, let’s face it, the thrill was gone. Add to that fact that I was the one who often paid for the garland which was given to honor me, and you can see why I got tired of them. The real trial came when, after several days, the closet in my hotel room was full of garlands in various stages of decay.
How much better to know that the crowns of heaven do not fade, tarnish, rot, go out of style, or in any way lose their glory. They are incorruptible and everlasting.
The second thing to know about the nature of these crowns, is that they, like us, are there to glorify Christ. We will look at the kinds of crowns and to whom they are granted, and for what purpose, in a minute, but right now we need to see that all crowns will be cast at the feet of Christ to honor Him. We read in (Rev 4:10 NIV) the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne...
The same thing the 24 elders do before the throne, we will also do, as we join the heavenly choir, and cast our crowns before the feet of Christ in adoration. The crowns represent our earthly deeds which were done for Christ’s glory as His servants. It is only fitting, then, that the representation of those deeds be given to our master as gifts. We will not wear those crowns on our heads, as though we needed any glory of our own, but we will give them as loving presents to our savior and Lord. Imagine the joy of being able to present, at the feet of Christ, a crown of glory representing your ministry on earth. Could anything be more delightful than that moment?
2. The Kinds of Crowns given:
There are four kinds of crowns mentioned in the New Testament:
the crown of life, the crown of glory,
the crown of righteousness, and the crown of rejoicing.
All four of these crowns are bestowed to followers of Christ for service they have done while here on the earth.
From this we can see that, although we cannot be saved by works, faithful servants of Christ will certainly be rewarded in accordance to their deeds in Christ’s behalf. Let’s take a closer look at these crowns.
A. The crown of life:
The crown of life is mentioned in James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10. Here we read, “(James 1:12 NIV) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (Rev 2:10 NIV) Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
I want you to notice two important phrases in these verses: “the man who perseveres under trial” (James 1:12), and “faithful even to the point of death” (Revelation 2:10). This will let you know who the recipients of the crown of life will be. Those who keep going under trial, and those who are faithful unto death will receive the crown of life. This is not only an encouraging word to the faithful servant of Christ, it is also an admonition to the Christian who wants to give up and quit. The crown of life waits for the one who remains faithful throughout life.
The heart of the matter in Christianity is not our grand aspirations or how well we start out, but how we endure to the end. This isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon, and the prize will go those who finish the race. I’m interested in the name of this crown. I think it was called the crown of life because it is given to those who live the Christian life faithfully and don’t give up.
I remember talking to one of the boys I grew up with in Scottsdale. He stayed in the Scottsdale area and kept track of many of the kids in my youth group at the Scottsdale Christian Church. He was able to tell me where most of them were, but I was sad to hear that many of them are no longer active in any church. How discouraging to find out that many of the young folks who participated in my youth group in the 60’s are no longer active in the church in the ‘90’s. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Staying faithful throughout life? My desire for you is not only that you will make a decision for Christ, but that you will stay with Him “faithful unto death”. Then you, too, will receive a crown of life.
B. The Crown of Righteousness
The second crown is similar to the first in that it is available to anyone who faithfully follows Christ. In this case, Paul tells Timothy about the crown of Righteousness and those who will receive it. (2 Tim 4:8 NIV) Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing. This crown will be awarded by the Lord himself on the day of His appearing to all who have longed for that day to come.
From what the scriptures teach about righteousness, we must understand that our righteousness is imputed to us as a gift because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. When he took our sins upon himself to pay for them, he also freely gave us his righteousness as a gift. This reward, then, is available to anyone, but is not tied in so much with our actions as was the previous crown. The crown of righteousness will be given to all who love Christ’s appearing when he returns. And who are these folks? Well, obviously, they are the ones who belong to Christ, for they, and only they, would love his appearing.
Unsaved people will dread the second coming of Christ. For them, that will be a terrible day of accountability and retribution. They are hoping that day will never arrive. But those who love God and belong to Him can hardly wait for that day to arrive.
C. The crown of Glory
This crown and the next one are unique in that they are reserved for those with special tasks in the church. The Crown of glory is reserved for shepherds in the Church. We read in (1 Pet 5:4 NIV) And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Reading the context in the previous verses lets us know that this passage of scripture is addressed to Elders in the church. Peter is appealing to elders to serve as overseers willingly, eagerly, and as examples to the flock, knowing that when the chief shepherd appears, elders will receive a crown of glory that never fades away.
Now, why would elders receive a crown of glory? The word “glory” itself gives a hint of the nature of the reward. The scriptures let us know that a man’s glory is his grandchildren, and a child’s glory is his father. (Prov. 17:6)
This means that a progenitor’s glory is his progeny, and the progeny glories in his progenitor. Or more simply, when someone creates something his glory is the finished creation, and the creation glories in its creator. When a man sees his grandchildren he can rejoice in the finished product of his own child-rearing. The real proof of the pudding in your child-rearing is how your children raise their children.
The same thing is true in the church. The elder’s glory is in the faithful continuance of the flock. The church leader’s glory is in the flock itself. You may remember me telling you how sad it was to find out that many of my cohorts in my youth group in Scottsdale have fallen away from the faith. On the other hand, I am constantly delighted to see, at Tanglewood camp, the children of the kids who were in my youth group in Arcadia. To find out that those under my care years ago have remained faithful and are raising their children in the Lord is my greatest joy and glory, just as you are my joy and glory here in San Antonio.
In heaven, it won’t be necessary for the Lord to give me an actual crown of Glory, for those who will share heaven with me as a result of my work for the Lord will be a greater crown of glory than any object could possibly be. So, you see, the real crown of glory are those who inhabit heaven because of the faithful ministry of another saint.
D. The crown of rejoicing
This final crown is similar in nature to the previous one mentioned. Paul writes about this crown in(1 Th 2:19 KJV) "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" As I look at this passage, I can see that this could be called the evangelist’s crown. Paul, who started the church in Thessalonica, was eager to see his children in the faith but was prevented from doing so. In explaining how worked up he was in being prevented from seeing them, he went on to explain that they were his joy and crown (vs. 20)
The crown of rejoicing is not so much a metal object to be worn on the head, as much as it is the encircling of faithful children in the faith. When Jesus appears, our children in the faith will be our crown and joy. The reward of faithful service is the surrounding of spiritual progeny. When we see those surrounding us who we ether brought to the Lord, or nurtured and maintained in the Lord, this will be enough glory and rejoicing for any of us.
3. Protection of the Crown
There is one final thing to say about these crowns. We have a warning regarding the need to protect and guard them. Notice what it says in (Rev 3:11 NIV) I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. These are sobering words, but they are worthy of our full attention. When king Saul died in Second Samuel 1, the Amalikite who killed him also took his crown from his head. (2 Sam 1:10 NIV) "So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band on his arm and have brought them here to my lord."
The tragedy of Saul’s life was that in his carelessness, he tossed away not only his life, but the crown which he assumed was rightfully his. At the end there was an Amalikite, an enemy of God, who removed his crown and took his glory. We also need to stand guard and watch so that no one steals our crown.
What does this mean? I think a quick review of the crowns themselves will let us know what to guard and how to protect them. The crown of life goes to the faithful who endure trials and remain faithful unto death. The crown of Life goes to those who love His appearing. The crown of Glory and the Crown of Rejoicing are those who follow our lead in the faith.
Therefore, guarding our crown means that we look carefully to our own walk before the Lord and the walk of those entrusted to our care. We can be confident that the Lord saves and keeps, but we must not get lax or careless about our daily walk in the Lord. The person who falls away from God rarely sets out to do so, but in the small daily compromises he allows, the heat of his faith eventually grows cold, and the prick of the conscience is dulled by a scab of indifference.
Conclusion:
Friend, don’t let it happen... to you or to those who watch your life and follow your lead. The crown of Life and Righteousness is waiting for the person who remains faithful unto death, who patiently endures trials, who loves the appearing of Christ. The crown of Glory and Rejoicing awaits those who parent others in the faith. Guard your crown. See that no one takes it from you. Remember the admonition of Paul, (1 Cor 9:25 NIV) Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
