### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb στεφανόω (stephanóō, `{{G4737}}`) is derived from the noun στέφανος (stephanos, `{{G4735}}`), meaning "a wreath" or "crown." Its base definition is "to adorn with an honorary wreath (literally or figuratively)," and it is consistently translated as "crown" in English versions. Crucially, the stephanos is not the royal diadem (διάδημα, diadema, `{{G1238}}`), which signifies kingly authority, but rather a wreath awarded for victory in athletic contests, military triumph, or as a symbol of honor, festive adornment, or even suffering (e.g., the crown of thorns, though that is a stephanos of mockery, not honor). Thus, stephanóō primarily denotes the act of bestowing honor, recognition, or victory upon someone through the placing of such a wreath. The action can be literal, as in crowning an athlete, or figurative, representing the conferral of glory and honor.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb στεφανόω (stephanóō, `{{G4737}}`) appears three times in the New Testament, each instance carrying significant theological weight.
1. **[[2 Timothy 2:5]]**: "Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules."
* Here, stephanóō is used in an athletic metaphor. The "crowning" refers to the awarding of the stephanos (wreath) to the victor in a contest. The emphasis is on adherence to the rules (νομίμως, nomimōs) as a prerequisite for legitimate victory and subsequent recognition. Paul uses this imagery to exhort Timothy, and by extension all believers, to live a disciplined and faithful Christian life, implying that spiritual reward is contingent upon obedience to divine principles. The crown here is a symbol of earned reward and ultimate triumph in the spiritual struggle.
2. **[[Hebrews 2:7]]**: "You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of your hands."
* This verse quotes Psalm 8:5 (LXX). In its original context, Psalm 8:5 speaks of humanity's unique dignity and position of authority over creation, being made "a little lower than the angels" and "crowned with glory and honor." The "crowning" here signifies God's act of endowing humanity with inherent worth, dignity, and a delegated dominion. The "crown" is explicitly identified as "glory and honor" (δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ, doxē kai timē, `{{G1391}}` and `{{G5092}}`).
3. **[[Hebrews 2:9]]**: "But we see Jesus, who was made for a little while lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."
* This verse directly applies the quotation from Psalm 8:5 to Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews interprets Jesus' incarnation and suffering (παθήματος τοῦ θανάτου, pathēmatos tou thanatou – "the suffering of death") as the means by which He became "lower than the angels." His subsequent exaltation, His being "crowned with glory and honor," is presented as the direct result of His obedient suffering and death. This is a divine act of vindication and exaltation, demonstrating God's approval of Christ's redemptive work. The "crowning" here is not a human coronation but a divine conferral of ultimate honor and glory upon the resurrected and ascended Christ.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding στεφανόω (stephanóō, `{{G4737}}`) is enhanced by examining related terms and concepts:
* **στέφανος (stephanos, `{{G4735}}`)**: The noun from which the verb is derived, meaning "wreath" or "crown." This is the object bestowed in the act of stephanóō. Its varied uses (athletic victor's crown, festive garland, crown of thorns, crown of life/righteousness) illuminate the semantic range of the verb.
* **διάδημα (diadema, `{{G1238}}`)**: "Diadem" or "royal crown." This term is distinct from stephanos and refers specifically to a symbol of royal or imperial authority. The New Testament uses stephanóō for honor/victory, not for installing a king with a diadem, though the "glory and honor" given to Christ in Hebrews certainly imply His ultimate authority.
* **δόξα (doxa, `{{G1391}}`)**: "Glory." This is explicitly linked with "honor" as the content of the "crowning" in Hebrews 2:7, 9. It speaks to divine splendor, majesty, and renown.
* **τιμή (timē, `{{G5092}}`)**: "Honor." Paired with doxa in Hebrews, indicating the high esteem and recognition bestowed.
* **νικάω (nikao, `{{G3528}}`)**: "To conquer," "to overcome," "to be victorious." This verb is conceptually linked to stephanóō in the context of athletic contests (2 Timothy 2:5) and spiritual triumph, as the crown is for the victor.
* **Concepts:** Victory, reward, honor, exaltation, suffering leading to glory, perseverance, divine vindication.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of στεφανόω (stephanóō, `{{G4737}}`) is profound, particularly in its application to Christ and the believer.
1. **The Exaltation of Christ through Suffering**: The most significant theological use of stephanóō is in Hebrews 2:9, where Jesus is "crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death." This passage articulates a core paradox of Christian theology: Christ's ultimate exaltation and divine vindication are not despite His suffering, but precisely *because* of it. His humiliation in becoming human and enduring death was the pathway to His being divinely crowned with supreme glory and honor. This demonstrates God's unique method of redemption, where self-sacrifice and obedience lead to ultimate triumph and authority. It underscores Jesus' full humanity and His identification with humanity's plight, even as He is simultaneously God's exalted Son.
2. **The Believer's Future Reward and Perseverance**: In [[2 Timothy 2:5]], stephanóō serves as a powerful metaphor for the Christian life. It teaches that spiritual rewards, symbolized by the victor's crown, are not arbitrarily given but are contingent upon faithful endurance and adherence to God's "rules." This provides a strong incentive for believers to live with discipline, integrity, and perseverance in their spiritual walk, knowing that a divine recognition awaits those who "compete lawfully." It speaks to the eschatological hope of the Christian, where faithfulness in this life will be met with divine honor in the next.
3. **Divine Initiative in Bestowing Honor**: In both the application to humanity in Psalm 8 (Hebrews 2:7) and especially to Christ (Hebrews 2:9), the "crowning" is an act of God. It is God who bestows glory and honor, whether upon His creation or upon His Son. This highlights God's sovereign prerogative and His ultimate authority to vindicate, exalt, and reward according to His divine purpose.
### Summary
The Greek verb στεφανόω (stephanóō, `{{G4737}}`) signifies the act of "crowning" or "adorning with a wreath," primarily conveying the bestowal of honor, recognition, or victory. Unlike the royal diadem, the stephanos (`{{G4735}}`) implies an earned or divinely conferred distinction. Its three New Testament occurrences are highly significant: in [[2 Timothy 2:5]], it illustrates the principle of righteous living leading to spiritual reward, likening the Christian life to an athletic contest where adherence to rules is paramount for receiving the victor's crown. Most profoundly, in [[Hebrews 2:7]] and [[Hebrews 2:9]], stephanóō describes God's act of "crowning" humanity (Psalm 8:5) and, preeminently, Jesus Christ "with glory and honor." For Christ, this crowning is presented as the direct consequence and divine vindication of His obedient suffering and death, revealing that His ultimate exaltation and authority were achieved through profound humility. Thus, stephanóō encapsulates themes of divine vindication, spiritual perseverance, and the paradoxical truth that suffering can be the pathway to ultimate glory and honor in God's economy.
TRV