Some believers will receive greater rewards than others; some will suffer loss.  

If a man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:14,15) (cf. Malachi 3:2,3).  

 The rewards are described in the Bible as “crowns” The Greek word for the type of crown mentioned in these passages means a chaplet or wreath conferred on a victor in the public games; an honor, reward, prize, adornment. Such a crown had three uses in Paul’s day: (1) as a wreath of victory in the games (1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 2:5); (2) as a festal ornament (Proverbs 1:9); (3) as a public honor granted for distinguished service or personal worth.  

 The crowns speak of public recognition and honor. As believers, we are often devalued, misunderstood, unrewarded, and even persecuted; but on that day we shall all receive due recognition for all we have done and become for Christ’s sake. The praise of men will look so dim in the light of His glorious recognition! These crowns will demonstrate Christ’s approval of us and His acceptance of our work (2 Corinthians 5:9). 

 Five crowns are mentioned in Scripture, each given for a specific accomplishment.  

(1) The crown of life for faithfulness (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).  

(2) The crown of glory for the undershepherd (1 Peter 5:1-1).  

(3) The crown of righteousness for loving His appearing (2 Timothy 4:7. 8).  

(4) The crown of rejoicing for soul-winning (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20).  

(5) The incorruptible crown for self-mastery (1 Corinthians 9:25).  

 These crowns are set before us in Scripture to motivate us in this life. God wants us to thoroughly invest ourselves in competing for the prize.  

 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things … (1 Corinthians 9:24, 25).  

Look to yourselves, that we lost not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward (2 John 8).  

 Scripture warns us to strive for mastery with strong determination not to lose our reward. Winning the race is not automatic but requires wholehearted application of ourselves in zeal and self-discipline. There are obstacles to overcome and goals to reach. Failure to overcome or to reach the goals results in loss of reward. Judgment means the real possibility of reward or loss- of our works being disapproved or approved.