Fall 1972
To Him That Overcometh

Joe Nieves
2 Timothy 2:5 “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.”

There are two Greek words for crown. One is the word diadema, i.e. diadem—a kings crown, a jewel. The other word is stephanos, which is used 18 times as a noun, and 3 times (stephanao) as a verb. Stephanos is an overcomer’s wreath or a victor’s wreath. Stephanos was obtained after a conflict or contest where one emerged as the victor.

I don’t believe that we will literally be wearing crowns on our heads to exhibit. Rather, I believe the crown given is a recognition of an accomplishment or attainment. It’s not what we will wear, but what we have become in God. The crown is that which you have attained in God and have become that very thing.

Paul mentions five crowns in his writings

(1) 2 Timothy 4:8 –a crown of righteousness. There are two kinds of righteousness: imputed righteousness and imparted righteousness. Imputed righteousness is that which is mine by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says in Romans 4:3 that Abraham believed, and it was imputed. Imparted righteousness is that which we appropriate or put on—a daily walk with God. We are becoming righteousness. Phil. 3:7-11; Rom. 1:17. Righteousness is God governing our actions and works. “Not ours by nature,” but imparted.

(2) James 1:12—a crown of life. Blessed is the man who endureth or overcomes testings: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life. Obedience through suffering, obedience of faith, life in the present to sustain in the hour of testing. Eph 2:1-2. You have to be quickened—made alive. There is a sharing in this life by the Holy Spirit. He quickens us. Rom. 8:10-11. The Spirit is life because of righteousness. His Spirit quickens—makes alive—our mortal or dying bodies. We are putting on Christ, receiving His life. Death will be swallowed up of life. Rev.2:10. Those who are faithful will receive the crown of life. Romans 6:22-23.

(3) I Cor.9:25—an incorruptible crown (Greek: a crown of undyingness!). Rom. 8:2. The law of the spirit of life has set me free from the law of sin and death. Praise God! Death has no more dominion over us. God is having a people who will appropriate this truth. The overcomer will have a crown of undyingness.

Paul says in I Cor. 15:54-56, “we will be clothed with undyingness, i.e. immortality. Death is swallowed up of victory. O death where is thy sting. Grave where is thy victory.” 2 Cor. 5:1-4. Paul had to desire to be clothed with immortality. There is a cry of the Spirit, a groaning within that desires and anticipates this mortal to be clothed with immortality or undyingness. Rom. 8:22-23.

(4) I Thes. 2:19—a crown of rejoicing or glorying.” “Joy is a sign of maturity.” God’s people are characterized by joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Joel cried out joy is withered from the House of the Lord. Joel 1:9, 12, 13, 16. As God’s people were coming out of Babylon, it was not a time for mourning, but a time to joy, rejoicing in the Lord. Neh. 8:9-10. As we are coming out of Babylon and keeping the feast of Tabernacles, it is a feast of joy and glorying in the Lord. This is God’s new day. God’s people are coming into realms of praise and rejoicing that we have not heretofore known. It is time to do battle for the Lord. Neh. 8:17.

(5) I Peter 5:4—a crown of glory. Isaiah said, “His glory will He not give to another but He shares it with those who are His.” Isaiah 60:1 Arise and shine for the glory of the Lord is upon thee. His glory shall be seen. Num 14:21. The earth shall be full of the glory of the Lord. The glory of God is His very presence. God is coming forth in His people in these last days. Jesus said to Mary in John 11:40, “If thou wouldest believe, thou shalt see the glory of God.”