Five Crowns — What do the 5 Crowns in the Bible mean?

Bible Question:

What are the five crowns that believers receive?

Bible Answer:

Two Royal Crowns

Five crowns are found in the pages of the New Testament. One crown is called the crown of joy or the crown of exultation (1 Thessalonians 2:19). The imperishable crown is found in 1 Corinthians 9:25. The last three crowns are the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), crown of life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10), and the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4). All five crowns are not different crowns, but descriptive names for the gift of eternal life. These crowns describe various characteristics of eternal life. Now we will discover more about them.

Imperishable Crown

The first crown is found in 1 Corinthians 9:25. It is the imperishable crown.

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. 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NASB)

In the verses before verse 25, the apostle Paul explained that he worked hard at sharing the gospel so that people can become believers in Christ. He described his effort as running a race. Paul said that every athlete exercises self-control so they can win a perishable wreath. The word wreath (stephanos) refers to a wreath of leaves that was given to athletic winners in the ancient Olympic Games. Their wreaths or crowns in time would perish.

Paul said believers discipline themselves in order to receive the imperishable crown. Some Bibles say the incorruptible crown (KJV). It is also called the imperishable crown (NKJV) or the everlasting crown. Paul exercised self-control to persevere in his ministry while here on earth in order to receive this crown.

This crown figuratively refers to eternal life, for life-after-death for a believer is both eternal and in heaven with our God. The message of Scripture is that true believers will never leave the Christian faith. Jesus said in that He would not lose anyone (John 6:37, 39, 40, 44, 47, 54). Yet, believers are urged to continue or persevere. Believers are urged to do what will, in fact, occur. So, the imperishable crown describes another characteristic of eternal life that every true believer will experience.

Crown of Exultation

The second crown is the crown of exultation and it is found in 1 Thessalonians 2:19.

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? For you are our glory and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (NASB)

The name of this crown depends upon the Bible translation. The King James Bible calls it the crown of rejoicing. The ESV named it the crown of boasting.

Paul does not say that the believers living in Thessalonica would bring him joy in general. Instead, he said they will bring joy at the rapture. Why? Because the rapture will rescue them from this unhappy world. Because Christ died on the cross, believers in Christ will enjoy heaven. So if the rapture occurred in Paul’s lifetime, his great reward or gift would have been to see these believers raptured and meet Jesus in the air. Most likely this crown of exultation would include knowing they would be happy in heaven.

Luke 15:7 tells us that heaven is a place of joy. So, heaven can also be figuratively described as our crown of exultation because the crown describes what we will experience in heaven. It also described what Paul would experience for the Thessalonian believers.

In Philippians 4:1, the apostle Paul said the believers at Philippi were his joy and crown.

Crown of Righteousness

The third crown is described in 2 Timothy 4:8. It is the crown of righteousness.

. . . 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. 2 Timothy 4:8 (NASB)

The crown of righteousness is the gift of imputed righteousness. At the moment of saving faith, every believer is imputed with the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). While believers live here on earth, the Holy Spirit works practical righteousness in them. Then someday when believers die and enter heaven, they will be free from their current sin-riddled-body of flesh. Then Christ’s righteousness will be perfected in them. They will experience Christ’s righteousness. The crown of righteousness describes another characteristic of the gift of eternal life.

Crown of Life

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

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. James 1:12 (NASB)

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 (NASB)

The literal Greek says the crown that is life. This crown of life describes another characteristic of eternal life. It is given to everyone who truly believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is the gift of salvation.

Crown of Glory

The fifth and last crown is the crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:4 says the Chief Shepherd will give it to us.

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:4. (NASB)

“Crown of glory” literally means in the Greek, the crown that is glory. It describes another characteristic of eternal life. Daniel 12:3 tells us that the righteous in heaven will shine like the stars.

Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:3 (NASB)

Now that will be glory. So, the crown of glory describes another characteristic of eternal life.