“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.” Philippians 3:13-16
There are five specific crowns (stephanos) mentioned in the New Testament. The crowns can more appropriately be called wreaths, or garlands, like the ones worn on the heads of athletic champions. The garlands will be our prizes when it comes time for the Lord to hand out awards to the believers at the Judgment Set. They will be the awards for our walk and faithfulness to God and His Word. They are not available to us now, but we will receive them after Christ's return.
"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."
The first crown mentioned is the 'incorruptible' crown. This means it is a crown that will never be destroyed; it will never turn to dust. We will be immortal, and so will this crown. To fully understand what this crown is let’s look at the following scripture:
I Corinthians 9: 19-23: “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ), that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”
Paul is describing how he worked to win others to the Word of God. It is the type of Christian walk to which we can all aspire.
I Cor. 9: 24: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain [win]."
Here our walk is compared to an athletic endeavor like a footrace. The Lamsa translation of the Peshitta (Aramaic) text reads:
“Do you not know that the runners in a race all run, but only one is victorious? So you must run that you may obtain victory.”
We are urged to run with the intention of winning. We are running a race to win a crown.
I Cor 9: 25 of the Lamsa translation reads:
“And every man who battles in the contest frees his mind from everything else. And yet they run to win a garland which is perishable; but we to win one which is everlasting.”
A champion athlete is focused on the race at hand. They are not distracted by noises or activities going on around them. If they get distracted they do not run well. Yet, all that an athlete wins is a perishable prize. It will not last forever. The prize for which we compete is everlasting.
I Corinthians 9: 26: “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I , not as one that beateth the air.”
[Lamsa translation: I therefore so run, not for something that is uncertain; and I so fight, not as one who beats the air;].
Paul said that he ran for something that is certain. When he was in the boxing ring he fought and made the blows count. He did not 'shadow box', or beat the air.
I Corinthians 9: 27: “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
[Lamsa translation: "But I conquer and subdue my body so that, by no chance, when I have preached to others, will I despise myself."]
Paul kept his body in subjection to his mind (renewed mind), so that after he had called others to join in the competition (verses 19 - 23), there was no chance that he would fail in achieving the reward.
The Incorruptible Crown will be available to the committed, focused believers. Those who renew their mind, and practice discipline and self control like a committed athlete are the ones who will receive the award.
“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? For ye are our glory and joy.”
The crown of rejoicing described here is one example of when we, as believers, will be expected to loudly rejoice or exalt. When Christ comes back and we will all be together, we can let everyone else know about it. Our brothers and sisters that we won for God will make up the crown of rejoicing.
Philippians 3: 20, 21: “ For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
We look forward to the return of Jesus Christ. When he does return, our earthly, mortal bodies will be changed to be like his: immortal and glorious.
Philippians 4: 1: “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”
Twice Paul referred to the believers as 'dearly beloved', so we know how he loved his brothers and sisters in Christ. Also, they are his 'joy and crown'. Every day we must be thankful for all the believers in the world. On the day of Christ's return, we will get together and wear the crown of rejoicing.
“I have fought a good fight [run a great race], I have finished my course, I have kept the faith [thy believing]. 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.”
[Lamsa translation: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept my faith: Henceforth there is preserved for me a crown of righteousness, which my Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day; and not to me only but also to all those who have loved his appearing."]
The crown of righteousness makes an athletic reference like the 'incorruptible crown'. Paul says he has fought a good fight -- he didn't give up, lie down, or quit. He finished the race -- he kept believing. Because of this, a crown of righteousness has been reserved for him, and for others who look forward to the appearing of Jesus Christ. 'Righteousness' means that something is just and right. How many times have we read a news story, or seen something on television that made us say, "It just isn't right"? That won't happen even one time once Christ returns. Paul wrote this to the church in order to exhort them (us) to stand for God in light of the hope of His return. If we look forward to our crown of righteousness, we can stand firm and sure right now.
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
Happy is the person that endures (remains after others have left) trials and temptations. For when he is proved, he will receive (manifest) the crown of life (life in all its fullness, complete).
Revelation 2: 10, 11: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
Revelation 3: 10, 11: “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
The churches are exhorted to be steadfast in the face of trials and tribulation. When we overcome them, we will receive the crown of life, and will not face the 'second death'. The 'second death' is the final death described in:
Revelation 20: 14, 15: “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Because we will receive the 'crown of life', we have eternal life. The lake of fire is reserved for all the evil doers and unbelievers.
“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
Peter writes this to the elders of the church, so we see the crown of glory will be available to leaders in the church. They are supposed to feed the 'flock' the undiluted and perfect Word of God, not for money or any personal gain, but willingly and out of love. They are not 'overlords' of the other believers, but should lead by example. If they do this, Peter says, when Christ (the chief Shepherd) returns they will receive a crown of glory that never fades away. It is everlasting, and the color and brilliance will abide forever.
The five crowns will be part of our reward we receive after the return of Christ. The Word of God tells us some things about the crowns, but not everything. A big part of the reward will be the surprise of finding out everything about our new life, and the privileges and responsibilities that go with it. For now, we can do the best we can for God, and look forward to the Hope, the return of Christ.
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