1 Corinthians 9:25
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A corruptible crown (pqarton stepanon). Stepano (crown) is from stepw, to put around the head, like the Latin corona, wreath or garland, badge of victory in the games. In the Isthmian games it was of pine leaves, earlier of parsley, in the Olympian games of the wild olive. "Yet these were the most coveted honours in the whole Greek world" (Findlay). For the crown of thorns on Christ's head see Matthew 27:29 ; Mark 15:17 ; John 19:2 John 19:5 . Diadhma (diadem) was for kings ( Revelation 12:3 ). Favourite metaphor in N.T., the crown of righteousness ( 2 Timothy 4:8 ), the crown of life ( James 1:12 ), the crown of glory ( 1 Peter 5:4 ), the crown of rejoicing ( 1 Thessalonians 2:9 ), description of the Philippians ( Philippians 4:1 ). Note contrast between pqarton (verbal adjective from pqeirw, to corrupt) like the garland of pine leaves, wild olive, or laurel, and apqarton (same form with a privative) like the crown of victory offered the Christian, the amaranthine (unfading rose) crown of glory ( 1 Peter 5:4 ).