THE FIVE CROWNS OF REWARD
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
There are five crowns, found in the New Testament, given as reward for those who serve the Lord Jesus in this life. These crowns are probably more precisely, victor’s wreaths. Such as was given to the winner of Olympic type games. These are the crowns that the believers will cast at the feet of Jesus mentioned in Revelation chapter four.
DISCIPLE’S CROWN: the Incorruptible Crown for lives of purity.
“25And 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. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But 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.” ~1 Corinthians 9:25-27
The receiver of this crown has gained control over the sensual desires. The Bible teaches that everything is good, but not everything is good for you.
“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” ~1 Corinthians 6:12
The temperate man:
1. Strives for mastery over his desires
2. Fights his inward lusts
3. Constantly keeps his body under subjection
4. Uncontrolled lusts can cause a person to be a castaway
EVANGELIST’S CROWN: the Crown of rejoicing for soul winners.
“1Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” ~Philippians 4:1
“19For 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? 20For ye are our glory and joy.” ~1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
This crown is given to those who publish the gospel in some form. They lead men and women to the cross.
This person:
1. Wins souls for Christ and rejoices in their steadfastness
2. They exhort and uphold the brethren whom they have ministered to
VISIONARY’S CROWN: Crown of Righteousness for those who love His return.
“8Henceforth 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.” ~2 Timothy 4:8
Paul taught that “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7) He was ready to die. As a result of his continual pressing into Christ, he knew he had a crown of righteousness reserved for him.
The Visionary is a person who:
1. Endures hardships for the moment, fights the good fight
2. Has a hope for the future
3. Loves and looks for Christ’s return
MARTYR’S CROWN: the Crown of Life for Christian Martyrs.
“12Blessed 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.” ~James 1:12
“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.” ~Revelation 2:10
This crown is given to those who are willingly persecuted for their faith. They have such a love for the Lord that they devalue every thing else. They have this attitude: “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” ~Philippians 3:8
The Martyr for Christ:
1. Loves the Lord beyond life itself
2. Endures temptation
3. Is faithful unto death
PASTOR’S CROWN: the Crown of Glory for faithful Servants.
“4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” ~1 Peter 5:4
This is the overseer’s crown. It is given to faithful servants who look after the church. This verse doesn’t reveal what is required to earn this crown, so we must attend to the text prior to it.
“1The 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: 2Feed 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; 3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” ~1 Peter 5:1-3
The Pastor or overseer:
1. Feeds the flock spiritually by instruction and good sound doctrine, physically by trying to provide for the needs of the body
2. Not for profit or by force, but willingly
3. Not as a lord or boss, but by ensamples
It seems apparent that these rewards are earned and can be lost:
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” ~Revelation 3:11
We may earn a part in the rewards of others by aiding them in their work:
“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” ~Philippians 4:17
We need to be diligent where rewards for faithfulness are concerned. These crowns cause the following verse to take on a new meaning:
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” ~Matthew 10:22
Our goals should be on heavenly treasures. “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” ~John 6:27
“19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” ~Matthew 6:19-21
These are not all the rewards given to faithful followers of Christ. There are seven Overcomer’s rewards found in Revelation 2 and 3. There are mansions reserved for the believers found in John chapter 14.
It is essential that we do good works. These will endure judgment.
“14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” ~1 Corinthians 3:14
1. Good works cannot save you
2. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do good works
3. We shall be rewarded for our good works
4. If a man’s work is not worthy of reward, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved
We should realize that we are laboring together for God. Our work for Him endures when we see it as a part of a larger purpose.
“8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”~1 Corinthians 3:8-9
~1~