The Five Crowns Series

The Five Crowns

1Thes 2:19; 1 Cor 9:25; 2 Tim 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Pet 5:4

Introduction

The Bible talks about five different crowns that are rewards to the faithful Christian. I had a deacon one time that said "I don’t like talk about rewards, crowns and the like; I am not serving the Lord for rewards." I responded "good you will probably have many then." This is God’s Word and he tells us it is possible to receive rewards.

The song the Old Rugged Cross says "my trophies at last I lay down." In the book of Revelation it says . . . And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Rev 4:9-10 NAS. So let us look at the verses that speak of the crowns.

I. Soul Winners Crown

1Thes 2:19

19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? (NAS)

1Thes 2:19

19 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? (KJV)

1Thes 2:19

19 For what is it we live for, that gives us hope and joy and is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus Christ when he comes back again. (TLB)

II. Crown of Self Denial

1 Cor 9:25

25 And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then {do it} to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (NAS)

1 Cor 9:25

25 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. (KJV)

1 Cor 9:25

25 To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. (TLB)

III. Crown of Righteousness

2 Tim 4:8

8 in the future there is laid up 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 loved His appearing. (NAS)

2 Tim 4:8

8 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

KJV

2 Tim 4:8

8 In heaven a crown is waiting for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And not just to me but to all those whose lives show that they are eagerly looking forward to his coming back again. TLB

IV, Crown of Life

James 1:12

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which {the Lord} has promised to those who love Him. (NAS)

James 1:12

12 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.

KJV

James 1:12

12 Happy is the man who doesn’t give in and do wrong when he is tempted, for afterwards he will get as his reward the crown of life that God has promised those who love him. TLB

V. Crown of the Under Shepherd

1 Pet 5:4

4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (NAS)

1 Pet 5:4

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (KJV) 1 Pet 5:4

4 and when the Head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never- ending share in his glory and honor. (TLB)

CROWN

(kroun): The word crown in the Old Testament is a translation of five different Hebrew words, and in the New Testament of two Greek words. These express the several meanings, and must be examined to ascertain the same.

1. In Hebrew: The five Hebrew words are as follows: (1) qodhqodh, from qadhadh; (2) zer, from zarar; (3) nezer, or nezer, both from nazar; (4) aTarah, from `atar; (5) kether, from kathar.