By John Boda from the old archives.

Most Bible scholars and students state that there are five crowns mentioned in the New Testament
scriptures. (Five is the number symbolic of grace, and all rewards and crown   are an outpouring of
God's grace.) I also believe that there are five crowns, but I differ on the fifth one. I believe that
born-again Christian workers could receive up to four crowns, two for Christian lay people, and two for
Bible teachers, pastors, and evangelists. If you stay with me through this article, I will reveal the fifth
crown before I finish. Here are the four crowns for born-again believers:

1. Crown of Rejoicing ( 1 Thessalonians 2:19 ) 
For soul-winning and building the church. For pastors, elders, church leaders, evangelists.

2. Crown of Glory ( 1 Peter 5:4 )
Preaching the word and shepherding God's flock. For pastors, elders, church leaders.

3. Crown of Righteousness ( 2 Timothy 4:8 )
For those loving His appearing. Available to any Christian.

4. Crown of Life ( James 1:12 )
For enduring trials and loving God. Available to any Christian.
 
 
 

Although I am not dogmatic about this, I disagree with most on including the "imperishable crown" of 1
Corinthians 9:25 as the fifth crown. I believe that Paul, by the Holy Spirit, is referring to the other
crowns (possibly the Crown of Life), because in context he is talking about running the race and
disciplining the body. Another reason why I don't believe that there is a fifth crown called "the
imperishable crown" is that ALL the believer's crowns are imperishable! We have "an inheritance
incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away reserved in heaven..." ( 1 Peter 1:4 ) 
 
 

 

I've shown how many crowns there are, and who they are for, now let me shed some light on just what
they are. With the exception of three instances, the Greek word used for crown in the New Testament
is "stephanos", which means a prize in public games, or a badge or wreath of royalty. Part of the word
- "stepho" literally means "to twine or weave". In New Testament times, a crown was a woven band of
leaves or ribbon given to the winner of a sporting event. Our modern perception of a crown adorned
with gold and jewels is not the biblical view at all. These wreaths, although a symbol of honor and
victory, were perishable, but the believer's crowns are imperishable. ( 1 Corinthians 9:25 ). It is
interesting to note that the first Christian martyr, Stephen, who has probably earned all four crowns, is
named after "stephanos", the Greek word for "crown", and his name means crown! 
 
 

 

"Diadem" is another Greek word for crown, which is used only three times in the New Testament, in
the book of Revelation. ( Rev. 12:3, 13:1, 19:12 ) It's meaning is essentially  "royalty" and  "authority".
In Revelation 12:3, Satan, as the fiery dragon, has seven diadems on his head. Then in chapter 13:1,
the Satan-empowered beast has ten diadems on his horns with blasphemous names on his heads.
Although Satan and his host have authority and power, they are no match for the awesome power of
God! In chapter 19:12, speaking of Jesus, we read: "His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His
head were many diadems. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself." A few verses
later, in verse 16, it says that He is "King of Kings and Lord of Lords"! Evidently, Jesus has so many
crowns that they are not numbered, it just says "many crowns" (or diadems) of royalty and authority!
 
 

 

As I stated, I believe that true believers in Christ have the potential of receiving four crowns: two for
any born-again believer and two for church leaders and workers. Now, as I mentioned, I want to share
a few things about what I believe is the fifth crown.
This crown (stephanos), is the Crown of Thorns that is mentioned in three of the gospel accounts:
Matthew 27:29, Mark 15:17, and John 19:2 & 19:5. 
This fifth crown is much different than the others! All the other crowns are crowns of honor and will be
distributed in the future. This crown of thorns was worn by Jesus, and signifies shame, dishonor,
suffering and humility, and was worn on the last day of His earthly pilgrimage 2000 years ago. Now
please go with me on this and follow carefully!

Jesus is the head of the church - Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18
Jesus wore the crown of thorns on His head - Matthew 27:29
We are the body of Christ, attached to Christ, the Head - Colossians 1:18

What is the point I am making? We endure this brief mortal life as Christ's body, whose head has a
crown of thorns. Since the head is connected to the body, we share in His sufferings now, to receive
the crowns of glory later. I want to emphasize that Christ died and suffered FOR us, He paid it all,
salvation is a free gift that we could never earn no matter how much we could possibly suffer! It's a
done deal! It is finished! However, after receiving God's free gift of salvation, we then embark upon a
journey of growing in grace, sanctification, and learning to put off the flesh and walk in the Spirit.
Because we live in a fallen, cursed world, with a corrupt, fallen, and sinful heart - this process involves
suffering. Where's the scriptural support? Consider the following verses:

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange
thing happened to you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His
glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  ( 1Peter 4:12, 13 )

"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ."  (2
Corinthians 1:5)

"And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings,
so also you will partake of the consolation." 
( 2 Corinthians 1:7 )

"...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings being
conformed to His death." 
( Philippians 3:10 )

"For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons
to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies
and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them
brethren..."  ( Hebrews 2:10,11 )

God telling Ananias, concerning Paul: "I will show him how many things he must suffer for My sake."
( Acts 9:16 )

This is not the popular, Americanized, amusement park gospel - this is the real thing - THIS IS THE
GOSPEL!!!

To summarize: I believe there are five crowns: four that are imperishable and await true born-again
believers who have done God's will and glorified the Lord through Christian service. The fifth crown is
not in the future, but today , this mortal life. We share in His sufferings and His crown of thorns, on
the head (we are the body). This is our reality during our pilgrimage on this earth. 

We live in a cursed world (Genesis 3:17, Romans 8:20,22), and thorns are a product of the curse of
sin (Genesis 3:18). When Jesus took that crown of thorns on His head, it was a part of God restoring
all things back to the beginning, as it was at creation, before sin, when God said "It is very good."
(Genesis 1:31), looking forward to the time when "there shall be no more curse"! (Revelation 22:3)
 
 

 

"...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who
for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God."  ( Hebrews 12:1,2 )

Let's heed the words of Jesus Himself to the church  of Philadelphia when He said "Behold, I am
coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown." (Revelation 22:12)

Let's seek for rewards for two reasons: first, to please the rewarder, the Lord Jesus, and second, to
one day  join the twenty-four elders around God's throne and bow down in worship, casting our
crowns before the throne saying "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and power; For
You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were  created."  (Revelation 4:10,11)