In the context of the Bible, the concept of an "award" can be understood as a recognition or reward given for faithfulness, righteousness, or service to God. While the term "award" itself is not explicitly used in most translations of the Bible, the idea is present in various passages that speak of rewards, crowns, and blessings bestowed by God upon His people.

Biblical Context

1. Heavenly Rewards: The New Testament frequently speaks of rewards in the context of eternal life and heavenly blessings. Jesus, in His teachings, often referred to the rewards that await those who follow Him faithfully. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus states, "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:12). This indicates that the ultimate award for believers is not earthly but heavenly, reserved for those who endure persecution and remain steadfast in their faith.

2. Crowns as Awards: The imagery of crowns is used in the New Testament to symbolize the awards given to believers. The Apostle Paul writes about the "crown of righteousness" which the Lord will award to those who have longed for His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8). Similarly, James speaks of the "crown of life" promised to those who love God and persevere under trial (James 1:12). These crowns represent the eternal rewards for faithfulness and endurance.

3. Parables of Reward: Jesus often used parables to illustrate the concept of divine rewards. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the servants who wisely invested their master's money were rewarded with greater responsibilities and joy. This parable underscores the principle that God awards those who are faithful stewards of the gifts and opportunities He provides.

4. Faithfulness and Service: The Bible emphasizes that awards from God are not based on human merit but on faithfulness and service. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." This passage highlights that God awards those who diligently seek Him and live by faith.

5. Earthly and Temporal Awards: While the Bible primarily focuses on eternal rewards, it also acknowledges temporal blessings as awards for obedience. In the Old Testament, God promised Israel blessings for obedience to His commandments (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). These blessings included prosperity, health, and protection, serving as earthly awards for covenant faithfulness.

6. Warnings Against Seeking Earthly Awards: The Bible also warns against seeking awards from men rather than God. Jesus cautioned against practicing righteousness before others to be seen by them, stating, "Truly I tell you, they have their reward" (Matthew 6:2). This warning serves as a reminder that the pursuit of human accolades can detract from the eternal awards that come from God.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of an award is deeply intertwined with the themes of faithfulness, righteousness, and divine blessing. While earthly awards are acknowledged, the Scriptures place a greater emphasis on the eternal rewards that God promises to those who love and serve Him faithfully. These awards, often depicted as crowns or heavenly treasures, are the ultimate recognition of a life lived in accordance with God's will.1. (v. t.) To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case; to adjudge; as, the arbitrators awarded damages to the complainant.

2. (v. i.) To determine; to make an award.

3. (n.) A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.

4. (n.) The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that which is warded.

2603. katabrabeuo -- to give judgment against
... beguile of reward. From kata and brabeuo (in its original sense); to award the price
against, ie (figuratively) to defraud (of salvation) -- beguile of reward. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2603.htm - 7k

591. apodidomi -- to give up, give back, return, restore
... Word Origin from apo and didomi Definition to give up, give back, return, restore
NASB Word Usage account* (1), award (1), fulfill (2), gave...back (2), give (4 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/591.htm - 9k

1017. brabeion -- a prize
... prize. From brabeus (an umpire of uncertain derivation); an award (of arbitration),
ie (specially) a prize in the public games -- prize. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1017.htm - 6k

4507. Meni -- "award," a heathen god
... 4506c, 4507. Meni. 4508 . "award," a heathen god. Transliteration: Meni
Phonetic Spelling: (men-ee') Short Definition: destiny. ...
/hebrew/4507.htm - 6k

Publisher's Advertisement.
... PUBLISHER'S ADVERTISEMENT. The following is from the Circular of the Committee of
Award, signed THOMAS S. WILLIAMS, WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, RT HAINES. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/publishers advertisement.htm

If Christians and the Heathen Thus Resemble Each Other, There is ...
... By the award of the judgment, we say that the wicked will have to spend an eternity
in endless fire, the pious and innocent in a region of bliss. ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xix name christians and.htm

Whether the Dead Can be Assisted by the Works of the Living?
... not in the state of the way, yet in a certain respect they are still on the way,
in so far as they are delayed awhile in their advance towards their final award ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the dead can be.htm

The Seventh (And Last) vision "On Earth"
... The third, or central judgment of the last five differs from the two that precede
and follow it, in that it is a judgment of vindication and award, and not of ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the seventh and last vision.htm

The Fall of the Empire and of the Papacy
... James, the son of Peter of Aragon, agreed to surrender Sicily on the understanding
that the new Pope would withdraw the award of Aragon made by Martin IV to a ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xvi the fall of.htm

Baptism not to be Presumptously Received it Requires Preceding ...
... For repentance is the price at which the Lord has determined to award pardon: He
proposes the redemption [8468] of release from penalty at this compensating ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter vi baptism not to be.htm

Connecticut at the Close of the Revolution
... Thither emigration was turning, since its check on the Susquehanna and Delaware
by the award, in 1782, to Pennsylvania of the contested jurisdiction over those ...
/.../chapter xii connecticut at the.htm

Introductory Note to the Works of Origen.
... uncorrected. Their persons she leaves to the Master's award: their characters
she cherishes, while their faults she deplores. The ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/introductory note to the works.htm

The General Resurrection
... The great Judge will appear, and all the human race must give an account of themselves
to God, and, each according to his righteous award, be happy or miserable ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlii the general resurrection.htm

Judgment must have Reference Both to Soul and Body: There Will ...
... these, is subjected to trial for each of the deeds wrought by him; and if reason
does not find this happening either in this life (for the award according to ...
/.../chapter xviii judgment must have reference.htm

Award (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To determine; to make an award. 3. (n.) A judgment, sentence, or final
decision. ... Multi-Version Concordance Award (4 Occurrences). ...
/a/award.htm - 8k

Actions (62 Occurrences)
... applaud others who do them. (WEY). Romans 2:6 To each man He will make an award
corresponding to his actions; (WEY). Romans 3:28 For we ...
/a/actions.htm - 24k

Adjudge (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To award judicially; as, the prize was
adjudged to the victor. 2. (vt) To determine in the exercise ...
/a/adjudge.htm - 7k

Prize (13 Occurrences)
... priz: Two Greek words are so rendered in English Versions of the Bible: (1) brabeion,
the award to the victor in the Greek games, consisting of a garland of bay ...
/p/prize.htm - 13k

Awaking (24 Occurrences)

/a/awaking.htm - 13k

Aware (44 Occurrences)

/a/aware.htm - 19k

Onward (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 4:8 From this time onward there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and ...
/o/onward.htm - 13k

Judgement-seat (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all of us appear before Christ's judgement-seat in
our true characters, in order that each may then receive an award for his ...
/j/judgement-seat.htm - 6k

Leader (183 Occurrences)
... them. (WEY DBY). Hebrews 12:2 simply fixing our gaze upon Jesus, our Prince
Leader in the faith, who will also award us the prize. He ...
/l/leader.htm - 35k

Gaze (46 Occurrences)
... reward. (WEY). Hebrews 12:2 simply fixing our gaze upon Jesus, our Prince
Leader in the faith, who will also award us the prize. He ...
/g/gaze.htm - 19k

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