What is the Believer’s Crown?

Understanding eternal rewards

When I was younger, I remember hearing some of the older members of my church talk about crowns and heavenly treasures.

Typically rewards were seen in terms of “stars” in their crowns. When a devout Christian died, others spoke of the person having many stars in their crown.

When someone performed an act of service, Christians would say that the person had gained a star in their crown.

This type of talk no doubt came from a flawed understanding of Revelation 12:1, “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

However, in the book of Revelation the woman is almost certainly Israel and the twelve stars are a reference to the twelve tribes. The passage clearly seems to be a reference to Joseph’s dream:

Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” (Genesis 37:9–10)

But the theme of crowns runs through the New Testament. Paul talks about a “crown of righteousness” that is stored up for him. (2 Tim 4:8) James says that “the crown of life” is promised to those who love God. (James 1:12)

Peter promises the elders of the church that the chief Shepherd will award them a “crown of glory.” (1 Pet 5:4) And Jesus promises “the crown of life” to the one who is faithful. (Rev 2:10)

Often, when we think about crowns, we imagine a diadem of gold that is inlaid with precious stones, but that is not what the New Testament authors are talking about (except in reference to Satan—Yikes!, cf. Rev 12:3).

Instead the writers of the New Testament use the word στέφανοσ (stephanos) which refers to the laurel wreath that was awarded to olympic champions as a sign of victory.

Paul refers to this practice when he uses the same word in 1 Corinthians 9:25:

“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath (στέφανοσ), but we an imperishable.” (ESV)

So instead of us thinking about a physical crown, the reward for our faithfulness is eternal life, righteousness, and glory. These things are our “crown.”

However, the apostle Paul does speak of another type of crown that is perhaps just as precious as these things. He speaks of his brothers and sisters in Christ as his crown.

“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown (στέφανοσ), stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” (Philippians 4:1, ESV)

“For what is our hope or joy or crown (στέφανοσ) of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19, ESV)

One of the greatest rewards that we will have in heaven is seeing those people with whom we have shared the gospel and trained up in the faith.

Those individuals who can say, “I am here, in part, because of your faithfulness to the Great Commission.” That is truly a great reward and crown.

Of course, that crown is not really a crown that belongs to us, but to Jesus. He is really the one who has won the victory through his death and resurrection from the dead.

It is for this reason that, in the book of Revelation, as soon as the elders receive their crowns…

“They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:10–11, ESV)

Not to us, O Lord, but to your Name be the glory, now and forevermore. Amen.

Live for Jesus.