στεφανόω

I crown, adorn

Definition

The verb στεφανόω means 'to crown' or 'to adorn with a wreath or garland.' In the New Testament, it is used both literally and figuratively. In its literal sense, it refers to the act of placing a victor's crown, as in the athletic metaphor of 2 Timothy 2:5. Figuratively, it denotes the act of honoring or glorifying someone, particularly in the context of Christ's exaltation. This figurative sense is powerfully displayed in Hebrews 2:7 and 2:9, where Christ is 'crowned with glory and honor' following his suffering and death, indicating his supreme exaltation and royal dignity.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only three times in the New Testament, all within the context of honor and victory. In 2 Timothy 2:5, it is used in a metaphor comparing the Christian life to an athletic contest where the victor is crowned. In Hebrews 2:7 and 2:9, it is applied christologically, describing Jesus being crowned with glory and honor as a result of his humiliation and sacrificial death. The usage thus moves from a general principle of reward to the specific, supreme exaltation of Christ.

Etymology

Derived from the noun στέφανος (stephanos, G4735), meaning 'a crown, wreath, or garland.' This crown was typically a woven circlet of leaves, flowers, or precious metals, awarded to victors in athletic games, military triumphs, or as a symbol of honor and festivity. The verb form στεφανόω literally means 'to put a στέφανος on someone,' carrying the core ideas of conferring honor, victory, and public recognition.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects the concepts of suffering, victory, and exaltation, particularly in Christology. In Hebrews 2:9, the crowning of Jesus is directly tied to his suffering of death, presenting a profound paradox: the path to glory is through humiliation. This enriches the reading of passages about reward (1 Corinthians 9:25, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4) by grounding the believer's future 'crown' in the accomplished victory and exaltation of Christ, the ultimate victor.

In the Greco-Roman world, a στέφανος (crown) was not primarily a symbol of royal authority (that was a διάδημα, diadēma) but of victory, honor, and celebration. It was awarded to winners of athletic games like the Olympics, to military commanders in a triumph, and worn at feasts. Understanding this cultural background clarifies the New Testament metaphors: being 'crowned' is about achieving a public honor through struggle and triumph, not merely about holding a static position of power.

διαδίδωμι (diadidōmi, G1238) — to distribute or give; not a synonym for crowning. κοσμέω (kosmeō, G2885) — to adorn or decorate in a general sense, but lacks the specific connotation of victory and honor inherent in στεφανόω. δοξάζω (doxazō, G1392) — to glorify; a broader term for giving glory, which can include the idea of crowning as one specific manifestation.

Word Details

Scripture References